Which Groundswell will turn up at Flemington to kick off a spring campaign that could lead the gelding to a start in a Group 1 race.
The now five-year-old runs in the VRC Season Premiere Plate (1410m) on Saturday which the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable hope may lead to the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next month.
Groundswell has been a cause of frustration the Freedmans after showing promise as a three-year-old.
He finished third behind stablemate Super Seth in the Caulfield Guineas and big things were expected the following autumn.
Groundswell returned with two last placings, both times at Caulfield, before heading to Sydney to contest a benchmark 88 race at Randwick then backing up a week in the Hawkesbury Guineas.
It was following that outing the decision was made to geld Groundswell.
That decision worked with Groundswell winning over 1400m then again over 1500m at The Valley.
And in Groundswell’s most recent campaign, he again won second-up at 1400m, followed that up with a 1400m win in Adelaide before travelling north to Brisbane for two runs, the most recent a close second over 1500m at Eagle Farm.
This time around, the Freedman’s have stepped Groundswell straight to the 1400m journey without a run at 1200m under the belt.
Sam Freedman said Saturday’s outing was a good test Groundswell.
“We’ll get a guide on Saturday whether he’s a little chance in the Rupert Clarke,” Freedman told RSN.
“I think between 1400 (metres) and a mile is his best trip, probably better at 1400 as he can get a little bit tired at the end of a mile with his racing style.
“He’s pretty fit but I think he’ll improve with the outing as he’s a good doing horse, but he’s had a jump-out at Flemington since his last run and Damian Lane knows him really well.”
