Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

German import Django Freeman is on track to make his Australian debut at Flemington, more than seven months later than trainer Robert Hickmott had hoped.

Last year’s German Derby runner-up arrived in Australia in August land was being set for a spring carnival campaign but that plan was aborted when he suffered a knee injury at trackwork in September.

Hickmott had planned to run the import in the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington last October as a guide to whether he could be a 2020 Cox Plate contender or a Melbourne Cup candidate.

Django Freeman required surgery to remove a knee chip and after being given the time to recuperate, the four-year-old is scheduled to kick off his Australian career in a 1600m handicap at Flemington on Saturday.

“He hyper-extended his knee during trackwork and had a small chip removed,” Hickmott said.

“It’s been relatively straightforward with ongoing treatments and I’ve been very happy with his work over the last two weeks.

“He continues to improve with the fitness under his belt and he’ll have his last hit-out at Sandown on Tuesday before going into the race at Flemington.”

Stablemate and fellow German import Schabau returned from a tendon injury with a midfield finish over 2000m at Flemington on Saturday.

Django Freeman won three of his six starts in Germany, including victory in the Group Three Bavarian Classic (2000m).

He finished second to Laccario twice in feature races including his most recent start in the Group One German Derby (2400m) last July.

“His German form was exceptional,” Hickmott said.

“He did bump into a good horse on the day, Laccario, but ran a gallant second in the German Derby after winning the Bavarian Classic and running second in another one of the lead-ups.

“How he fits into Australian racing is still a bit up in the air, whether he’s a Cox Plate horse or a Caulfield or Melbourne Cup horse is still to be decided.

“We’ll learn along the way with him this preparation.

“He’ll have a couple of runs and then probably go for a short break and come back for his spring preparation.”

Hickmott hopes Django Freeman can prove himself to be a Cox Plate contender given he is still an entire and stallion prospect.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au