The Anthony Freedman trained Chenier needs the pace to be solid if he is to fight out the finish of the 2020 Group 1 $1m Kennedy Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Catalyst, above in white and blue colours, is the favourite for the 2020 Australian Guineas at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Stable foreman Sam Freedman told RSN’s Racing Pulse that Chenier has the best staying potential of the three year olds he is up against on the weekend but his colt will need a genuine pace throughout the race to give him a chance of overhauling the leaders down the long Flemington straight.
“We think a mile suits him. We think if it was a strongly run mile, we are fairly confident that we have the best source of staying potential in that race, obvious Soul Patch stays as well,” Sam Freedman said.
“He has a big action our horse and if they go at a nice enough clip, we think he will be strongest late.”
“The tactical race that it might end up probably won’t play into our hands but the horse is very well.”
The lightly raced Chenier raced into Australian Guineas contention with an eye catching third behind Alligator Blood and Catalyst in the Group 3 $160,000 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington a fortnight ago but the Freedman colt will meet those two rivals worse at the weights on Saturday.
Chenier is up 1.5kg in the weights while Alligator Blood drops 1kg and Catalyst drops 2kg.
“There is obviously the negative weight turn around for us, but stepping up to the mile (1600m) is definitely an advantage for us,” Sam Freedman said.
“We think our horse may in time get out to 2000m and maybe get out beyond that.”
Chenier has drawn barrier five with Damien Oliver in the saddle again and Freedman can see him settling midfield in the eight horse Australian Guineas field.
“He will be hopefully one or two pairs back, off the rail. We will be looking to get him to switch off early and come with one run,” Freedman said.
Betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Australian Guineas has Chenier on the third line at $6.50 behind the Kiwi three year old Catalyst at $2.50 and the C S Hayes Stakes winner Alligator Blood at $3.20.
