Leading trainer Anthony Freedman is planning on giving German import Waldpark a light preparation in the lead-up to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.

Anthony Freedman is hoping to replicate the Group 1 success of Mawingo with fellow German import Waldpark. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Waldpark is set to make his Australian racing debut in the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 14 and Freedman said he is toying with the idea of that being the son of Dubawi’s only start before he contests the Cox Plate.
“He’ll trial in three weeks or so and then possibly run first-up in the Feehan (now known as the Dato Tan Chin Nam),” Freedman told Racing Victoria.
“He may not have another run before the Cox Plate, he might but I’m not sure where because I don’t know the horse well enough yet.”
Waldpark was brought to Australia by Australian Bloodstock, who partnered with Freedman to win the 2012 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) with fellow German import Mawingo, and Freedman has been delighted with what he has seen from the horse so far.
“He’s been with me about three weeks,” Freedman said.
He’s a nice, neat and compact horse.
“He came to me in very good condition and he’s settled in well.”
Based on his form in Europe, Waldpark is set to be a leading contender for the Group 1 Australasian Weight For Age Championship.
At his last start in Germany, in the Group 2 Grosser Preis Der Badischen Unternehmer (2212m) he finished only a head behind Novellist who has stamped himself as arguably the best middle distance horse in Europe after his win in the Group 1 Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud (2412m) and dominant victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2412m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Anthony Freedman is searching for his first Cox Plate victory as a trainer in his own right but his families stable has previously won the race with Super Impose (1992) and Makybe Diva (2005).