Sunday, 16th February 2025
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With just seven weeks until the Golden Slipper, trainer Michael Freedman is hoping his Gimcrack Stakes winner Manaal can show him she is a worthy contender for the $5 million classic when she resumes at Rosehill on Saturday, reports racingnsw.com.au. The filly takes her place in the $250,000 Gr3 Widden Stakes (1100m) and Freedman is keeping an open mind when it comes to how Manaal (Tassort-Red Lodge, by Midshipman) may get to the Slipper. "She's one we're hoping will measure up to the Golden Slipper and Saturday is that first step. It's a bit of a cliché but you take it one run at a time, see how she goes there and how she comes out of it and plan from there," said Freedman. Manaal, $5.50 with TAB on Wednesday, is on the $34 line in TAB's Golden Slipper all-in market despite her strong Gimcrack win at the end of September. The slight issue that keeps Freedman on the conservative side when it comes to expectations of a first-up win is Manaal's near outside barrier around the Rosehill chute course. She came from off the pace to win the Gimcrack, although that was midfield from barrier three, so the trainer can only hope the race is run to suit those looking to sweep home. Freedman assessed, "If I could see her making up some nice ground late in the race and looking like she's going to enjoy getting out over further that'll be good enough for me."
