No Fight to represent Freedmans
Sam Freedman is likely to be left to represent the Freedman dynasty solo at Flemington on Tuesday, despite declaring Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight the families best chance in 11 years since Lucas Cranach to add a sixth Melbourne Cup to the families collection.
Makybe Diva’s history making third Melbourne Cup win was the last time the Freedman’s name was etched into the honour roll, but not even the memory of being on course back in 2005 is likely to lure father Anthony back on track come Tuesday.
“I think you’ll find him at a little winery in Merricks North owned by family friends, he watched the Caulfield Cup there,” Sam Freedman revealed.
“I spoke to him this morning about it and he said ‘why would I watch it anywhere else’ so I don’t think he will be trackside.
“We’ve had Realm of Flowers and Delphi, Warning, Steel Prince but probably haven’t had the top liner to really feature at the top end but in saying that most have run top 10.
“This feels like the best chance we’ve had and the family probably hasn’t had a real good chance maybe since Lucas Cranach who ran a really good race.”
In fact there won’t be many mounting yard lanyards splashed out on Without A Fight either, with racing lover and owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum not expected to fly into Flemington either.
“I have a tripped planned to go see him 10 days after so it would be nice to be taking a Melbourne Cup to him,” Freedman said.
“He is heavily invested in racing in the UK with 70-80 horses in training and owns Dubawi and has multiple Group 1 winners in training.
“Australian racing is something that he is starting to take a keen interest in and it’s a good time of year for him now because English racing is a bit quieter.
“He is very passionate it and watching all the races and on the phone straight after and really enjoying it.”
While media jaunts out to Werribee and open trackwork sessions are keeping most making headlines occupied, despite having the reining Caulfield Cup winner, Without A Fight seems almost the forgotten galloper who occupies the third line of betting.
“I think everyone likes to enjoy the shiny new thing,” Freedman explained.
“There are horses people haven’t seen they want to talk about and you can easily forget about the horse here and in form.
“We are happy to mind our own business.
“He’s been minding his own business down on the Peninsula enjoying some nicer weather and he’s had a few days out in the paddock and feeling very fresh.
“History says it’s hard to do the double but I wouldn’t want to take another horse into the race.”
It was a sentiment felt by Mark Zahra as well who despite Gold Trip being almost half their odds, elected to stick with the horse who delivered him the Caulfield Cup.
Freedman said he ‘always felt Mark would lean our way’ once plans were made to add the Melbourne Cup to the seven-year-olds campaign despite finishing thirteenth in the race last year.
“It probably came to fruition when we didn’t run in the Turnbull and we kept the extra run up our sleeve,” Freedman explained.
“We had a good chat to his owner who was really keen to see the horse tried at the two miles again and we are confident on top of the ground her can.
“No horse was finishing stronger than him in the Caulfield Cup.
“History says it is extremely hard to do the double and he has to carry more weight, draw a good gate and run the two miles so there is plenty of water to go under the bridge.
“They don’t give these races away.”
