Lee Freedman is confident Lucas Cranach is at his peak for the Australian Cup after his stunning first up weight-for-age win in the Peter Young Stakes.
Freedman, who works alongside his trainer brother Anthony, says the German import is ready for a showdown with former French stayer and 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain in what is shaping as an autumn highlight in Saturday’s $1 million Group One event over 2000 metres at Flemington.
Lucas Cranach winning the Carlton Draught Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
At their only meeting, Lucas Cranach was a slashing third in last year’s Melbourne Cup after an interrupted spring campaign with feet issues while Americain finished a luckless fourth.
The pair dominate TAB Sportsbet’s Australian Cup market with Americain, resuming and having his first start for David Hayes, $3.40 favourite while Lucas Cranach is pressing at $3.60.
Freedman said it would be an exciting rematch with Americain after Lucas Cranach had won so well first up in the traditional Cup lead up, the Group Two Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 25.
“I think the run has improved him and he did a bit of pace work on Thursday and seemed nice and bright,” Freedman said.
Lucas Cranach unleashed a brilliant finishing run to win the Young Stakes by 1-1/2 lengths from other imported stayers Illo and Manighar.
He was the only horse to break 58 seconds for his last 1000 metres, bursting home in an impressive 57.78s, with his last 400m in 22.68s.
“I always had the opinion he was that good,” Freedman said.
“With his feet right and three or four months more acclimatisation I would have been pretty disappointed if he hadn’t run as well as he did the other day.
Lucas Cranach has had only three Australian runs.
He was treated for a quarter crack and foot abscess before he finished an eye-catching fifth to Southern Speed at his Australian debut in the Caulfield Cup.
While his run in the Melbourne Cup was outstanding, he meets Americain 4.5kg worse off at weight-for-age in the Australian Cup.
“Americain’s the measuring stick but we’re in with a show,” Freedman said.
He said Lucas Cranach didn’t leave the stable between the Melbourne Cup and his first-up run with his only respite four or five hours in a day yard alongside a mate for three weeks.
“We tried him in a paddock but he hated it because he was not used to it,” Freedman said.
He attributed the successful resolution of Lucas Cranach’s feet issues to farriers Michael Chase and John Bunners.
“He (Lucas Cranach) is pretty well fit for the Australian Cup now as he proved the other day,” Freedman said.
He said next week he would have his first fast gallop since the Young Stakes win.
“We are just pottering around with him now and we will give him a bit of hit-out next Tuesday,” Freedman said.
He said rain, hail or shine, Lucas Cranach would be ready.
“We only have a week to go and even if there was rain around it wouldn’t worry me because he’s very good in that too,” Freedman said.
AAP TURF
