Midwest is currently third pick in the market for Race 7, a benchmark 88 contest over 1100m while Snapped is set to start favourite in Race 10, a benchmark 78 race also over 1100m.
The pair represent a strong opportunity to improve the stable’s record in New South Wales, having only won two races from 38 attempts in New South Wales since Sam joined his father Anthony as a co-trainer in 2020.
Midwest, who has won six of thirteen, including five in a row over last Summer, has placed at both runs back this campaign over 1000m, and co-trainer Sam Freedman is hoping he can get back to his jump and run style.
“His preparation has been going okay, he hasn’t been firing but he’s been racing okay, he’s been a bit slow out which has been very unlike him, he’s normally very quick into stride… he should run well out to the 1100 on a track that can hopefully be hard to make ground,” Freedman said.
Apprentice Matthew Cartwright will take the ride on both Midwest and Snapped, whom he rode to a dominant victory first up at Sandown-Hillside and Freedman believes the mare is capable of reaching black-type level.
“She was very good first-up, the perfect race on paper for her. She’s drawn a good gate (1) she was a bit slow out first-up but she’s a quality mare who we’re hopeful can get to black-type at some point so she should be somewhere there in the finish,” Freedman said.
The stable also saddle up Kings Consort in the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas (1425m), who has won just one race from eleven starts yet is the highest earning horse in the field as a winner of the $1 million The Showdown as a two-year-old.
“He’s been set for this since his last start, (it’s a) competitive race but again he’s one that’s been a bit slow out, if he can settle midfield he’ll be running on, it’s just whether he’s going to get there in time,” Freedman said.
