With two trials under the belt for Marhoona, Apocalyptic and Manaal, Michael Freedman has started working out where his three Group One winners will head for their first up assignments.
The trio trialled at Randwick on Tuesday with Golden Slipper winning mare Marhoona leading throughout to score over unbeaten star Autumn Glow.
1⃣ Marhoona
2⃣ Autumn Glow
3⃣ Pericles@MFreedmanRacing's Golden Slipper winner takes out a 900m trial at Randwick on Tuesday that also included Palmetto, Generosity, Wodeton, Ceolwulf and Movin Out. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/6QGYP5ahRD— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) January 26, 2026
Flight Stakes winning filly Apocalyptic finished third to Group 1 winner Beiwacht in the following heat ahead of stablemate Manaal, who won the ATC Sires Produce as a two-year-old.
Freedman has identified the first two races for Apocalyptic, who was narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) before a spell.
1⃣ Beiwacht
2⃣ Spring Lee
3⃣ ApocalypticA comfortable win to @godolphin's Golden Rose winner in a 900m trial at Randwick. Behind the placings were Lady Shenandoah, Manaal, Aeliana, Trinity College and Buckaroo. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/2S5UptaGi4
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) January 26, 2026
“She will just have a fairly steady one and then we will probably bring her here for the Light Fingers,” Freedman said.
“I’m keeping options open. Depending how she comes back, we may look at keeping her to shorter course races. She is obviously pretty versatile but I’m a bit up in the air.
“The first two would be obvious choices, the Light Fingers and Surround, but beyond that we will keep an open mind.”
The Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) will be run on February 14th, with two weeks into the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m).
Freedman also outlined plans for Manaal, who won a pair of Group 2 races in the Spring, and Marhoona, who raced twice in the Spring before niggling injuries saw her spelled.
“Manaal will run in either the Triscay or the Expressway on the same day, and Marhoona, I’m still trying to map a path for her.
“I’m really happy with her but I’m toying with the idea of having a look at Melbourne with her.”
Freedman also took out the opening trial on Tuesday with Group 3 winner Just Feelin’ Lucky, who led home the likes of Lindermann, Sir Delius and Tempted.
Also trialling behind Marhoona and Autumn Glow was star miler Ceolwulf, while Lady Shenandoah and Aeliana had their second trials of the preparation behind stablemate Beiwacht.
An all the way win for Just Feelin' Lucky in a 1000m trial at Randwick on Tuesday, the @MFreedmanRacing mare held 1-1/4 lengths over Lindermann with Sir Delius in third. Behind them were Tempted, Bois D'Argent, Shangri La Boy and Hoo Ya Mal. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/0NUMZu1emf
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) January 26, 2026
