Michael Freedman has confirmed BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Tiger Of Malay has come through the race in great order and remains on target for the Group 1 J J Atkins Stakes.
The colt had struggled to make an impact from wide draws at his two previous runs but from a better gate at Eagle Farm on Saturday, he was able to trail the speed and pinch a winning break in the straight.
The two-year-old was given a few days to recover but will step up his Atkins preparations with some pacework at Eagle Farm this weekend.
Tiger Of Malay is on the third line of Atkins markets at $5 with the two horses he defeated in the Sires’ Produce, Converge ($3.50) and Port Louis ($4), ranked above him.
The placegetters were taking significant ground from Tiger Of Malay over the final stages and are expected to be suited by a 200m distance rise to a mile, although Freedman says they may have been flattered by Craig Williams’ decision to make an early move on his colt.
“Had he had the luxury of holding him up for a bit longer, he wouldn’t have looked as vulnerable as he did the last 50 to 100 metres of that race,” Freedman told Sky Sports Radio.
“He gives every indication with his racing style that potentially, he could stretch out to a mile.”
Consistent gelding Luvoir, who tackles the Listed Spear Chief Handicap (1500m), will be the sole Eagle Farm runner for the Freedman training partnership on Saturday, while Love Tap and possibly Resilient Star will represent the team at Rosehill.
Gloaming Stakes winner Love Tap has returned to Sydney after resuming from a lengthy break with a midfield effort at Doomben last month, while Resilient Star is not a certain starter after drawing barrier 16 for his Saturday-grade debut.
“It’s not ideal,” Freedman said.
“It would be fifty-fifty at this stage but we will make a call on Saturday.”
Resilient Star is building a handy record winning three of his seven starts, including two of his past three appearances in provincial company.
