HORSE RACING
THE Anthony Freedman-trained Hanseatic has solidified his spot as the clear-cut favourite for the $1.5 million Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield in two weeks’ time.
The Godolphin-owned boom colt showed something special to win from an unlikely position in the colts and geldings Prelude on Saturday 8 February.
Keeping his unbeaten record intact, the two-year-old son of Street Boss gave ground when turning for home before sweeping past his rivals to nab the current Blue Diamond second-favourite, Rulership, just before the line.
Despite running an overall slower time of 1:03.08 seconds compared to the two-year-old fillies Prelude time of 1:02.79, Hanseatic’s electrifying turn of foot saw him run a dazzling 21.87 for his final 400m – the second fastest last 400m for the entire meeting.
The way in which Hanseatic scored the victory was most impressive with stable foreman, Sam Freedman, saying the colt still hasn’t quite put it all together.
“He’s got something a little bit different going on upstairs, but we wouldn’t change anything,” Freedman said.
“His behaviour around the back (parade ring) was 10 times better than last time so he’s going the right way. He obviously had to be very good to win from where he was. He’s got that instant turn of foot.”
Freedman added that “we had Lyre last year (win the Blue Diamond Stakes), but I think he’s got a little bit more brilliance.”
Jockey Luke Currie said Hanseatic would take plenty of benefit for racing over the 1100m before he lines up over 1200 metres in the Blue Diamond in two weeks.
“It was a bit messy,” Currie said of the race.
“He jumped quite well and held a spot but I really wasn’t interested in giving him a dig and I’m glad I didn’t because when they steadied he got up and going a bit and I think three-quarters of the field did, so he was lucky to be able to manoeuvre out on the corner but he had to give ground doing it.
“He showed a great turn of foot to come out and go and I thought he just levelled a bit late so this run at the 1100 (metres) will do him the world of good for the Diamond.
“He had a pretty handy one to chase down. He got there, levelled a bit but was too good in the finish.”
