UPDATE: Trainer Michael Freedman is set to unveil his promising racehorse Ninja at Kensington on Wednesday, following two impressive trial victories. The young horse, unbeaten in both trials, will compete in the TAB Plate (1100m), marking a significant milestone in his racing career.
Freedman, speaking about Ninja’s readiness, stated, “He’s still very much learning about things and doing a few things wrong, but he’s ready to go to the races and probably just needs to get going.” Despite not being a “well-oiled machine” yet, Ninja displayed a remarkable turn of foot in his latest trial, catching the eye of observers as he surged from the back of the pack.
The trainer emphasized that Ninja, who was purchased for $380,000 as a yearling, has shown considerable raw ability. “Once he starts to put it all together, he can continue to improve,” Freedman noted. He expressed hope that Ninja could take advantage of a favorable draw, stating, “If he can jump cleanly, you wouldn’t want to be dragging him back.”
Freedman is also preparing to split his fillies, Fairway To Heaven and I Am Gone, between the Drinkwise Plate (1100m) at Kensington and the Happy Birthday Emily Kendall Plate (1000m) at Kembla Grange on Thursday. He indicated that Fairway To Heaven, an impressive trial winner by 4¼ lengths, may race in Kensington, pending assessments of both races.
Freedman expressed eagerness to see his horses compete after facing challenges with wet tracks and unfavorable draws. “She’s ready to go and had three trials and been ticking over so I’m keen to get her off to the races. I’m hoping she can overcome the draw,” he said about Fairway To Heaven.
As the clock ticks down to race day, all eyes will be on Ninja’s debut performance in Kensington. Will he harness his potential and make a mark on the track? Fans and racing enthusiasts will surely be watching closely. Stay tuned for updates on these exciting developments in the horse racing world.
