Anthony Freedman’s first metropolitan winner could translate into his first Group One runner with Specter to be given the chance to earn a Caulfield Guineas start.
The colt was Freedman’s first city winner in his own right as a trainer since his brother Lee stepped down as head of the stable.
The grey colt’s win over 1400 metres at Flemington on Saturday was a stepping stone to the $1 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 8.
“We’ll just see where he fits in,” Freedman said.
“These horses (three-year-olds) are probably short of the Sydney horses but we’re here and we’ll probably give him his chance.
“He’s a trouble free straight forward horse. He got good luck and the barrier helped no doubt.
“He took the runs and he finished it off.”
Ridden by Nick Hall, Specter ($16) enjoyed a good run from barrier three and held off the fast-finishing Chase The Rainbow by a long head with Secret Hills a head away third.
Hall was having his first race ride on the colt and felt he had a good deal of improvement in him.
“It’s an advantage getting an inside draw, especially on green horses but he’ll make the grade for sure,” Hall said.
Freedman said Specter would go to either the Group Three Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 17 or the Group Two Bill Stutt Stakes (1600m) under lights at Moonee Valley on September 30 for his next start.
An $80,000 yearling bred by Makybe Racing and Breeding and bought by Lee Freedman, Specter has won two of his three starts and ran second in the other to Chase The Rainbow on the Geelong Synthetic track.
Specter is at $31 in the Caulfield Guineas with TAB Sportsbet which has Smart Missile $5 favourite ahead of Helmet at $6.50.
Freedman, who was Lee’s assistant over the time the stable had incredible success, said he had cut the numbers to 60 or 70 horses.
“It probably suits me. I don’t want it to get to 100 plus,” he said.
“I’ve changed a few little things, not a lot.”
Lee Freedman is currently in England where the stable’s Caulfield and Melbourne Cups hope, German galloper Lucas Cranach is in quarantine.
“My co-trainer (Lee) has kept in touch, he’s left me pretty much to my own devices,” Freedman said.
Lucas Cranach is scheduled to arrive in Australia on September 24.
AAP TURF
