Image: Bradley Photos
The winner of the Breeders’ Plate returns in the Canonbury Stakes.
The Magic Millions 2YO Classic did nothing to jeopardize Incognito’s place at the head of the Golden Slipper betting and the Michael Freedman-trained colt is almost ready to return to the races.
The son of Stay Inside was eligible for the Magic Millions, a $1 million buy from last year’s Gold Coast sale, but Freedman instead opted for the trial last Thursday with his eyes firmly on the March 21 Golden Slipper.
The 850m trial was his second this year, following a 900m win at Rosehill on January 2, and Freedman said the colt was well on track for a return to racing before the end of the month.
“At this stage the plan is to go to the Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill on January 31, which gives us 16 days,” Freedman said.
“Things can change very quickly with two-year-olds, so with them I never look too far ahead, but he is a very well-behaved, sensible colt and he has a lot of substance.
“I hope he’s the one who can stand up.”
Incognito, who wears the colors of noted bloodstock agent James Harron, has been to the races just once, for a convincing win in the Group 3 Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick on October 4.
He was ridden by Tommy Berry at last Thursday’s trial and finished third, being beaten 2-1/2 lengths by stablemate Enriched with another Freedman-trained galloper, Manaal, splitting the pair.
Right behind Incognito were Group 1 winners Lady Shenandoah and Beiwacht, and Freedman loved seeing him match bikes with already proven performers.
“It’s never ideal when a two-year-old has to compete against the older horses, but I wanted to give him a trial run on the Kenso instead of the rook (grass),” he said.
‘I didn’t want him to have a real nervous breakdown against the older horses, but Tommy was delighted with him.
“He traveled nicely, coming off his heels and accelerating when we wanted him to, then just letting him float to the line.
“Combining it with some pretty nifty older ones, it was a nice effort.”
Incognito shares the $8 Golden Slipper favorite with the Bjorn Baker-trained Warwoven, a race morning scratch from Saturday’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic, which was won by Unit Five.
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