Ninja has put the disappointment of a luckless Magic Millions Guineas defeat in the rearview mirror, claiming several high-profile scalps to win the Group Two Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill.
The colt was forced to cover ground from an outside draw at the Gold Coast when he went down fighting, but made amends in Saturday’s 1400m feature.
“It’s good to see him come back and do that,” trainer Michael Freedman said.
“It was his biggest test. The Magic Millions Guineas was a disappointment, but I was more interested in how he was going to measure up against the really good three-year-olds down here and job done.”
Stalking leader Shangri La Boy, Ninja ($2.70 fav) surged to the front in the straight and found plenty to stave off the challenge of Napoleonic ($4.40) by 1-1/2 lengths with Autumn Boy ($2.90) a slashing third, another short half-head away.
Freedman will see how he comes through the race but a start in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) is firmly in his sights.
“It wouldn’t bother me at all putting him out because I think he’s an exciting horse for the future, but if he pulls up well, against his own age group, why wouldn’t you (go to the Guineas)?” Freedman said.
Winning jockey Tommy Berry had said during the week he believed the trip to Queensland had helped Ninja to come of age, particularly in terms of his racing manners, and that was borne out in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m).
He added that the colt’s relaxed demeanour would be instrumental in helping him extend to the mile of the Randwick Guineas.
“I’ve been saying all week since he has returned to Sydney that Lee (Freedman) had done an amazing job with him in Queensland,” Berry said.
“This horse has come back so much more relaxed whether that is trackwork, in the yard, or behind the barriers.
“I think he will run a strong 1600m because it felt like he floated that last furlong.
“The (Randwick) Guineas will be a bigger field, there will be a lot more pressure and he is a better horse when ridden with cover.”
Caulfield Guineas winner Autumn Boy (third) and Spring Champion Stakes victor Attica (fourth) paired off at the back of the Hobartville field and both made good ground late in encouraging returns.