 Pillaging hasn't been ruled out of running in next Saturday's Golden
Slipper in Sydney after a three length slaughter of his opposition in this afternoon's
Group One VRC Sires' Produce Stakes at Flemington.After
racing just behind the pace in the early and midde stages the Marauding gelding soon hit
the front at the top of the straight and then strode away for an effortless three length
win.
Winning trainer Lee Freedman wasn't at Flemington today
instead in Sydney saddling up Don Eduardo in the Group One Rosehill Guineas. Lee's brother
Michael was left in charge at headquarters.
There are a few issues still to sort out for the Freedman
camp before they decide on whether the Slipper is to be his next start or not.
 "Just trying to think
about what Lee would prefer and I guess he might just wait for the Heroic
Championship," Freedman said.
Had the race been two weeks after today's Sires' Produce
then Freedman feels the Slipper "would definitely be a goer."
"There would have to be a flight organised for him. He
certainly wouldn't go up if he had to be floated during the week," Freedman added.
Freedman, who was hobbling around the mounting yard after a
recent knee reconstruction, said Pillaging was "a very good two-year-old."
 "He's showed us
brilliant ability and his recent form had been really strong," Freedman said.
Winning jockey Patrick Payne was full of praises of
Pillaging saying after the race he was a "very, very smart horse."
"He relaxed really well and when I wanted to go he
responded in great fashion," Payne said.
At the post Pillaging ($3-$2.90-$3 fav) had downed Delago
Brom ($2.60-$3.80-$3.50) by three lengths, while the leader for much of the race Tom
Coureuse ($15-$17) was a head away in third place.
Milkshake, a last start winner of the Adelaide Magic
Millions 2YO Classic at Cheltenham had little luck striking trouble on two occasions.
 "He first got into
trouble at the half mile and then things again got very tight in the home straight,"
Milkshake's jockey Peter Mertens said.
"I'm sure after a break he is going to develop into a
nice horse. He's still a bit immature and after a break he should come back stronger
mentally," Mertens added.
Our Webster, a last start stakes winner at Caulfield, was
the disappointment of the race finishing up last in the field of eleven, some 14.8 lengths
from the winner.
PICS - Quentin
Lang. |
