The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable hope a gelding operation will allow Et Tu Brute to fulfill the promise he had shown the trainers early in his career.
Having his first start as a gelding at Sandown on Wednesday, Et Tu Brute overcame a slow start to score a convincing win in the Welcome To Sportsbet Sandown Plate (1300m).
Ridden by Damian Lane, Et Tu Brute ($3.10) settled back in the field but easily ran down the leader and $2.80 betting app favourite Limburg to score by three-quarters-of-a-length with Tycoonette ($3.40) a further 1-¼ lengths away third.
Sam Freedman said the stable held a good opinion of Et Tu Brute as a spring three-year-old, but his manners were not allowing him to reach his potential as a racehorse.
“I have to say a big thanks to the owners for being so patient,” Freedman said.
“We did think a fair bit of him as a three-year-old, so that is why we persisted with him as a colt for so long, so it’s good to get this result.”
Freedman said Lane, who completed a double by leading throughout on Raikoke in the 2024 Stud And Stable Staff Awards Plate (1200m), showed why he is Victoria’s leading jockey when he did not panic after Et Tu Brute’s slow beginning.
“It didn’t quite go to plan at the start,” Freedman said.
“He was a little slow out, but he’s the state’s leading rider for a reason. Damian made the right call to come back and settle him.
“I thought off a moderate tempo he did a good job. He showed a good turn of foot.”
While Et Tu Brute may not have reached Stakes level during the spring, Freedman said the bar will be raised for the gelding this campaign.
He said providing Et Tu Brute recovers well, the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on February 17, could be on the agenda.
“There are some good races around the corner, a race like the C S Hayes,” Freedman said.
“Whether he is up to that level, we’re not sure, but we think he will be better in better races with a genuine tempo and a track like Flemington will suit.
“We have noticed a real shift in his behaviour, so he could get to a decent level.”
