Racing
Incognito nearing return to the races
Breeders’ Plate winner set to return in the Canonbury Stakes.
The Magic Millions 2YO Classic did nothing to threaten Incognito's place at the head of Golden Slipper betting and the Michael Freedman-trained colt is almost ready to return to the races.
The son of Stay Inside was eligible for the Magic Millions, being a $1 million buy out of last year's Gold Coast sale, but instead Freedman elected to trial last Thursday with sights set firmly on the March 21 Golden Slipper.
The 850m trial was his second this year, following victory in a 900m hit-out at Rosehill on January 2, and Freedman said the colt was tracking well towards a return to the races before the end of the month.
"At this stage the plan is to head to the Canonbury Stakes on the 31st of January at Rosehill, which gives us 16 days," Freedman said.
"Things can change with two-year-olds very quickly, so I never look too far ahead with them, but he's a really well-behaved, sensible colt and he's got plenty of substance to him.
"I'm hoping he's the one that can stand up."
Incognito, who carries the colours of renowned bloodstock agent James Harron, has only been to the races once, for a convincing win in the Group 3 Breeders' Plate (1000m) at Randwick on October 4.
He was ridden by Tommy Berry in last Thursday's trial and finished third, beaten 2-1/2 lengths by stablemate Enriched with another Freedman-trained galloper, Manaal, splitting the pair.
Immediately behind Incognito were Group 1 winners Lady Shenandoah and Beiwacht and Freedman said great to see him match motors with already-proven performers.
"It's never ideal, a two-year-old having to go against the older horses, but I wanted to give him a trial on the Kenso rather than the steeple (grass)," he said.
"I didn't want him to have a real gut-buster against the older horses, but Tommy was rapt with him.
"He travelled nicely, came off heels and quickened up when we wanted him to and then just sort of let him float to the line.
"Mixing it with a few pretty handy older ones, it was a nice effort."
Incognito shares Golden Slipper favouritism at $8 with the Bjorn Baker-trained Warwoven, a race morning scratching from Saturday's Magic Millions 2YO Classic, which was won by Unit Five.
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