The next generation of Freedmans made their mark at Echuca’s seven-race program on Sunday, training the two of the first three winners on a day favourite backers would have enjoyed immensely.
The Freedman name is synonymous with winning, Sam — who trains with his father Anthony — winning the 1100-metre two-year-old fillies event to open the afternoon.
In a name befitting modern times the $2.10 favourite was called No Lockdowns and it won by more than a length from another city-based filly, Zouperb.
Zouperb is trained by the Price and Kent stable, with Peter and Paul Snowden’s Luna Diva fourth and Matt Ellerton charge Prancing Queen fourth.
There were plenty of big names involved in yesterday’s meeting at Echuca, in particular, with the two races to open the day - for two and three year old fillies.
The Snowdens went two better in the second event on the card with $1.85 shot Is This Love, which was again a clear winner in the 1200 metre maiden.
Then the second Freedman winner of the day came via Mitch Freedman, who saddled up Safe Secret for a four-length win in the second of the three-year-old maiden events.
Safe Secret completed the 1000 metres in 59.27, but was being pulled up by Tahlia Hope going across the finish line.
Echuca Racing Club general manager Garry Armstong said favourite backers were celebrating the early results as the first three favourites saluted.
After a $4.40 pop, Mysterious Art, won the fourth event, it was back to business as usual when Ben Brisbourne-trained $1.75 chance Suparazi won the fifth event.
“It was a day that the bookies wouldn’t have liked too much, because after a $5.50 shot won the sixth race another favourite won the last,” Mr Armstrong said.
“The punters certainly wouldn’t have had to settle for drive-through on the way home.
“But we were really pleased with the day. There were more than 500 people on course, above our expectations, and there was quality racing,” he said.
Mr Armstrong said there looked to be some very nice horses that would easily step up into better company.
“There will be some nice form the two-year-old race. Some very nice two-year-olds presented,” he said.
With the next generation of Freedmans winning the first and third events, Mr Armstrong said there were two impressive wins from Safe Secret and Suparazi.
“Suparazi was particularly impressive. It was a big weekend for Ben Brisbourne because he had a winner at Flemington on Saturday, then backed up with us on Sunday,” Mr Armstrong said.
Jockey Pat Maloney, who had a full book of rides at Echuca, had to wait until the last to greet the judge.
He rode the last winner, $3.70 favourite My Divas, in the most open betting race of the afternoon.
Echuca Racing Club’s next meeting is on Saturday, May 14, a week before the election.
“It will feature a race that we have been trying to get off the ground for some time. It will be a John Quayle thank you race,” he said.
Quayle was a long-time committee member and highly respected Echuca racing identity.
"We have been trying to stage a thank you race for him for some time, but COVID has wreaked havoc,“ he said.