Michael Freedman has labelled Apocalyptic a ‘special filly’ after she overcame a wide run to dominate her Tea Rose Stakes rivals and rocket to outright favouritism for the Group 1 Flight Stakes.
Tommy Berry was forced to travel three-wide without cover from an awkward draw but Apocalyptic ($3) still unleashed a dashing turn of foot to take out Saturday’s Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Randwick by 1-3/4 lengths.
Freedman admitted they were concerned by the gate pre-race and he was thrilled to see her prove a class above her rivals regardless.
“I think she’s pretty special,” Freedman said.
“I was very impressed with her first-up two weeks ago but overcoming a few difficulties there today with the wide run, through no fault of Tommy’s, we were always worried about that gate.
“To let down like she did, from a training perspective, you don’t get too many horses that can do that.”
Apocalyptic claimed the Furious Stakes (1200m) first-up and after adding another leg of the Princess Series to her resume on Saturday, Freedman was optimistic she would be hard to beat in the Flight Stakes (1600m) in two weeks.
Bookmakers agreed, tightening her from $4.50 to a clear-cut $2.20 favourite for the feature.
“I’ll speak to Tommy and see what she thinks but she did relax a little bit better today even though she didn’t have cover, which gives me some encouragement going up to the mile in two weeks’ time should suit her,” Freedman said.
“She has always given us the impression the longer trip should suit so hopefully it will play that way.”
Berry said he wasn’t overly concerned when he had track wide on Apocalyptic, although he was aware the race may have been a hard watch for her trainer.
“I would have loved a heart monitor on Michael halfway around,” Berry quipped.
“We both knew before the race it was a very tricky barrier. She’s got such a big stride…. I didn’t really mind being wide on her, it was better than being in.
“We’ve had a big wrap on her for a long time and I’ve had wraps on horses before and it doesn’t come to fruition, which today it has.”
Artistic Venture ($41) was doing her best work late to finish a game second while well-backed $2.50 favourite Tupakara ran her usual, honest race, boxing on for third.
