HORSE RACING

PINECLIFF, Mount Eliza-based trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman remain adamant on bypassing the VRC Derby with promising colt Ain’tnodeeldun despite claiming the Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Co-trainer Anthony Freedman believes the $2million VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday 31 October will come up too soon for the improving Dundeel three-year-old.

“He still has some maturing to do so I don’t want to give him a gut buster in the Derby,” Anthony Freedman said on the Freedman Racing website.

“I think he will be a better horse in the autumn so we will give him a light spring and lift the bar in the autumn with him.”

Ain’tnodeeldun broke his maiden status in dominant fashion at Sale (1615m) two starts ago to win by five lengths, before proving too classy for his rivals on Saturday. Ain’tnodeeldun, who jumped as the $1.65 favourite for the race, settled towards the rear of the field before hitting the front with 150m to go and held off the late charge from Victoria Quay to win by three-quarters of a length.

Freedman believes the colt will benefit from the experience interstate.

“He was well-ridden today, but he was left in front a long way from home which probably isn’t the way to ride him,” Freedman said.

“Dom Tourneur was of the opinion he had a lot more left to give, which is what I wanted to hear. He is still learning the game and I believe the trip away would have done him the world of good. He should come back a more mature horse.”

With the Derby off the table, Freedman will instead aim Ain’tnodeeldun towards the Listed TCL TV Stakes (1800m) for three-year-olds on Melbourne Cup day.

First published in the Mornington News – 14 October 2020