Warning will attempt to continue the successful run of the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable in the Melbourne Cup qualifier at Flemington.
Since the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) gave the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), the Freedman stable has won two of the three times it has been staged.
Steel Prince scored for Anthony in 2019 before Sam joined his father in a training partnership the following year, claiming last year’s contest with Realm Of Flowers.
Brad Taylor, the racing manager for the Freedman father and son training partnership, said the Andrew Ramsden was not originally on the program for Warning.
But after his first-up sixth in the Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) last week and how the stayer recovered post that race, it was decided to give him his opportunity.
“To be honest, there’s not a hell of a lot around for him and the weight structure suits him,” Taylor said.
“It’s a great prize money race and to be fair to it, it’s not the strongest edition. We remembered it was a small field last year, so we threw in a nomination again.”
Warning was beaten just over nine lengths in the Warrnambool Cup on heavy ground, but Taylor said the conditions were not suitable.
“We know he gets through the wet, but that gluggy sort of ground, he struggles a bit,” Taylor said.
“He’s got such a good action that he wants that loose heavy sort of track that he can get through easier than having to pick his feet up out of that stuff.
“But he’s going really well. His jumpouts were good leading into Warrnambool, probably the best trials of his career, even going back to his two-year-old days.
“If the rain continues in Queensland, he might end up in the Q22.
“There are not the open class stayers around at the moment as Sydney took a lot of them out with the heavy tracks and trainers have elected to spell them.
“We’ve kept all options open, but we’ll get through the weekend first.”
