Victorian Tentyris has upstaged some of Sydney’s highest-profile colts in the Todman Stakes as the Blue Diamond form continues to stack up leading into the $5 million Golden Slipper.
Just 35 minutes after Tempted took out the Reisling Stakes (1200m) following her seventh in the Blue Diamond, Tentyris, who was runner-up in Melbourne’s juvenile feature, stormed home from the back to claim the scalp of Slipper favourite Wodeton in the colts and geldings division.
It was a timely result for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, who have recently set up a base at Randwick with the former making the move north to oversee the operation.
Anthony Freedman says a Sydney presence is key if they are to compete in the top-tier races, pointing out he and his brothers established one during the mid-1990s when they captured four successive Golden Slippers with Bint Marscay (1993), Danzero, Flying Spur and Merlene.
“To be honest, if you want to win these big races you need a base up here,” Anthony Freedman said.
“We had a base here in the 90s when we won those Slippers. We haven’t won one since, we’ve run placings.
“But it just brings in the Slipper, the Magic Millions, those races. They’re the races you really need to be winning to be putting yourself in the frame for those better bred yearlings.”
By Street Boss, Tentyris didn’t set the world on fire at his debut in February, but Freedman said he had continued to improve at a rapid rate, claiming the Talindert Stakes (1100m) two starts ago before beating all but Devil Night in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).
Saturday’s win propelled him to the second line of Golden Slipper odds at $7 and Freedman expected him to be a genuine chance.
“First run in Sydney and he had to go well back from the draw and he’s finished off hard. He should run very well in the Slipper,” Freedman said.
Nash Rawiller also gave Tentyris his tick of approval, saying his Todman Stakes (1200m) win was no fluke before labelling the colt as “the real deal”.
“It’s that time of year where you sit back and try to keep everything in one piece,” Rawiller said.
“I hoped to get on one like this. I’ve had to be patient this year but I finally got one.”
Chris Waller wasn’t disappointed with the effort of Wodeton, who trailed the three leaders and stuck on well.
“I do feel the pressure of a Golden Slipper will suit him,” Waller said.
“He will be going into the race with three runs, he will be rock-hard fit on the day, there’s still some improvement to come as he had a bit of a blow today.”
Tentyris ($8.50) scored by three-quarters of a length over Wodeton ($2 fav) with Nepotism ($41) making an eye-catching debut to grab third, another neck away.
