Having passed his first distance test with a strong performance in the Stan Fox Stakes, Prime Star will again step up in journey to chase a $1 million target.
Prime Star Ready To Run A Mile In Bondi
Trainer Michael Freedman is convinced Prime Star will appreciate a distance rise when he faces a rematch with his last-start conqueror Peltzer in the $1 million Bondi Stakes.
Peltzer led and held on to beat the fast-finishing Prime Star over 1500m in the Stan Fox Stakes but Freedman is hoping his charge can turn the tables over a mile at Randwick.
“His run here the other day was terrific and he has trained on from that,” Freedman said.
“The way he ran out that 1500 metres in a race that was probably set up for the leaders, I thought it was a really good test for him and I don’t think the mile should worry him.”
Kerrin McEvoy rode Prime Star last start but he will be in Melbourne on Saturday to partner Probabeel in the Cox Plate and Freedman confirmed Tommy Berry had been booked as his replacement.
Freedman and Berry combined successfully on Everest day to claim the Reginald Allen Quality with Forbidden Love, who is under consideration for a trip to Melbourne.
The stable has also nominated promising colt On The Lead for the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
The three-year-old resumed with consecutive provincial wins in July before finishing runner-up to the highly-touted Godolphin galloper Criaderas.
He earned a trip to Melbourne where he was unplaced at Group Two level but bounced back with a last-start second to Wild Ruler in the Roman Consul Stakes.
“I will probably run On The Lead in the Brian Crowley. He’s come up really well after his run here the other day,” Freedman said.
Juvenile Tiger Of Malay, a son of first season sire Extreme Choice, has been entered to make his debut for the Freedman team in the Kirkham Plate (1000m) after finishing second in his only barrier trial.