Team Freedman have included both Minaj and Hazard in the 2015 Proud Miss Stakes field and co-trainer Lee Freedman is happy with both mares heading into the Group 3 event at Morphettville tomorrow afternoon.
Minaj has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Proud Miss Stakes in Adelaide tomorrow. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Minaj has not recorded a race win since she beat Miracles Of Life to take out the Listed Redelva Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville in April last year, but she has performed well without winning during her autumn campaign to date.
The Commands mare returned to racing with a fourth place finish behind Platelet in the Jeep 55 Second Challenge (955m) at Moonee Valley on March 27 and she was narrowly beaten by Miss Promiscuity in the Mitsubishi Superscreen Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield on April 18 before she tired late when third behind Thermal Current in the Group 3 McKay Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville on May 2.
Freedman told Racing Ahead that he has been happy with the form of Minaj this preparation and he believes that the four-year-old will have no problems handling the step-up to 1200 metres in the Proud Miss Stakes.
“Both these mares are going very well,” Freedman said.
“Minaj is already a Group 3 winner and only had one win at the trip and won.
“She is going well and she will run well tomorrow.”
Hazard has recorded eight wins from her 23 starts to date, but she is still chasing a maiden black type win after finishing second in the 2014 edition of the Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m).
The Flying Spur mare started her autumn campaign with a narrow win in The Grand Hotel Frankston Handicap (1000m) at Sandown on April 1 and she overraced when seventh in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on April 18 before she returned to winning form in the Ern Jensen Funerals Handicap (1100m) at the same venue on May 2.
Freedman believes that Hazard is deserving of a maiden black type win and he is hopeful that the five-year-old will finally be able to breakthrough in the Proud Miss Stakes this weekend.
“Hazard is probably the mare that has been knocking on the door to win a black type race and the form since the spell has all been pitched towards either the Dark Jewel in Scone or this race and we opted to go with this race,” Freedman said.
“I can’t really fault her.”
Hazard is currently available at 2015 Proud Miss Stakes odds of $6, while Minaj is priced at the juicy quote of $12 with Ladbrokes.
