Anthony and Sam Freedman ramp up Blue Diamond bid with four fillies in Preview
Trainers Anthony (left) and Sam Freedman (right) will start their chase for a fourth Blue Diamond Stakes at Sandown on Thursday. Picture: Michael Klein
Co-trainer Sam Freedman has given a slight edge to one of the stable's four fillies engaged in Thursday's Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview at Sandown.
Freedman and his father Anthony have won three of the last four editions of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes with the pair winning with filly Lyre in 2019.
The camp has been quiet on the two-year-old front this season to date but has decided to start its main juvenile attack on Thursday.
Freedman said Thursday's meeting being held at Sandown was a positive when assessing the stable's two-year-old team.
"I think we've only run two (two-year-olds) this season so we've just been trying to time a few to see if they'll measure up," Freedman said.
"Naturally some will and some won't.
"They're stakes races and they're worth having a crack at so we're very happy the races are at Sandown.
"It's a lovely track to debut a horse so we were very keen to get them in."
The father and son combination will run Flemington placegetter Ode To Joy as well as debutantes De Sonic Boom, Elderberry and Right To Party.
Daumier won last year's Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
Freedman said Ben Melham's mount Elderberry had a slight advantage over her three stablemates in Thursday's $200,000 event.
The unraced Elderberry, a daughter of dual US Grade 1-winning two-year-old Bolt D'Oro, has won jumpouts at Mornington and Balnarring in the lead-up to her debut.
"She's jumped out brilliantly twice," Freedman said.
"She looks very fast and a very natural two-year-old so I think the 1000m really suits her.
"I'm leaning to Elderberry ahead of maybe De Sonic Boom while Right To Party is definitely one for the future.
"Elderberry was a little bit rough around the sides but we've smoothed them out and she's developing into a nice filly.
"How she handles raceday is another thing but if she handles it all well, she has nice talent."
TAB posted Elderberry as a $7 chance but the filly has firmed to $6.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Aditi has been well-backed from $5 to $3.20 in early betting.
