Jason Warren is planning a trip to Queensland for the Magic Millions Carnival with Freak Of Nature who will kick off his campaign with an outing at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Freak Of Nature was nominated for the Listed Doveton Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday, but after a gallop on Tuesday Warren has elected to kick the galloper off in Adoria Jewels Handicap (1200m) on Friday night, a benchmark 78 grade race.
Warren said despite the weight, which has been reduced by 3kg with the booking of apprentice Ryan Houston, Friday night’s race looked the better option to start off the gelding.
Freak Of Nature won five of his nine starts for his campaign when Warren decided to give him a freshen up after running fourth over 1440m at Caulfield on October 16.
“He’s a Magic Millions horse, and I think he’s proved himself worthy of the trip to Queensland now,” Warren said.
“We freshened him up and this run will be a run to bring him back to his peak fitness.
“He jumped out nicely last week as well, so I think the freshen up has done him good and back to 1200 metres, I feel that the horse is working really sharp and he’s in great shape.
“He did a great job last time in. He went through the grades, and we’ve just brought him up slowly and he just kept stepping up and he won five from nine starts last time in.”
The Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast on January 11, a race that carries $2 million in prize money over 1400m, is the contest Warren has his sights on for Freak Of Nature.
“It’s got really good restrictions on the race, and it should be quite suitable for him,” Warren said.
“He’ll have a run this weekend and two more runs then he’ll be right for that race.”
