Racing
Stakes test for Ang Pow
Trainer inclined to stick with successful pre-race message ahead of first-up run.
Will Freedman has already put some thought into the pre-race message he might deliver to Ang Pow's owners ahead of this Saturday's $200,000 Bob Charley Stakes at Randwick.
The Rosehill horseman has regularly warned connections that the six-year-old was on borrowed time in his stable, which he operates with his father Richard, only for the son of Flying Artie to stand up.
Despite Ang Pow trialling up impressively ahead of his return to racing in the 1100-metre Listed event, Freedman is likely to do so again ahead of what will be his first start at Black Type level.
"I always tell the owners he's on his last legs and then he keeps paying for his box," Freedman said with a laugh.
"So, I'm inclined to say he's on his last legs again and he might continue that form.
"He's a fragile horse and the owners know his issues, but every time I doubt him he puts in another big run.
"It's a shame he's been littered with so many problems over this career, because if he was straight-forward he would have been a very high-quality animal, but that's racing I guess."
Ang Pow hasn't raced since finishing fourth behind Accredited at Randwick on January 4, which followed a win in benchmark 100 grade, the seventh win of a 22-start career.
Two of those wins have been when first-up and a soft trial win at Rosehill on May 29 prompted the Freedmans to test the waters of the Bob Charley Stakes.
"He just trialled up really nicely the last couple of starts," Freedman said.
"He'll have no weight on his back and I think he'd be a reasonable chance in a race like that."
Ang Pow is one of 24 entries for the Bob Charley Stakes, accompanied by the likes of Front Page, Brudenell, A Little Deep, Barber and In Flight.
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