Connections of Freshman will get an immediate guide on where the three-year-old sits in the pecking order when he makes his debut in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill.
Usually conservative in placing his horses, trainer Bryce Heys has been enticed by the small field of eight, and the natural ability and progression his charge has shown at home.
While under no illusions about the task Freshman faces in tackling a Listed race at his first start, Heys expects the colt to hold his own.
“The reason we’ve always liked him is the way he works,” Heys said.
“When you teach him something, he’s always wanted to come to the party. It’s obviously a big ask on Saturday, but he’s in great order and he’s a lovely horse.”
By Wild Ruler, Freshman was born in New Zealand and purchased for $380,000 out of the 2025 Karaka sale.
He trialled twice in the lead-up to Saturday’s Heritage Stakes (1100m), winning his latest hit-out when he tugged for rein early, although Heys felt that was related to a lack of speed in his heat, not bad manners.
“They went very slow in that last trial. It wasn’t a true reflection,” Heys said.
“He will come back off the bridle.
“He has always been a touch immature, but he’s always had a sharp level of ability and just physically gotten stronger each time he’s been in work.”
Heys also has the lightly-raced Banjora in the TAB Handicap (1100m) but will wait until race morning to decide if he resumes from an awkward draw.
The winner of his first three starts, the five-year-old then placed in the Gosford heat of the Provincial-Midway Championships (1200m) before finishing fourth to Lord Of Biscay in the Wildcard (1400m) with that horse going on to claim the Final.
“I’m not in a hurry to get him started. He’s obviously drawn a bit tricky,” Heys said.
“It’s just the fact he’s first-up and starting first-up quite higher in grade than he has previously, so I’m mindful of that, despite his ability.
“We’ve got him in there as if we’re going to run, but I haven’t committed to that yet.”
Heys described Banjora as a robust gelding who would benefit from racing, but added he’d had an uninterrupted build-up.
“We love the horse, but I don’t have a grand plan for him,” he said.
“I just feel he needs a little bit of racing. He may get himself somewhere this time around, but I just want him to have a good ‘prep’ where he sets himself up for a really nice autumn.”
Aaron Bullock has been booked to partner both Heys-trained runners.
