The first email arrived around 6.30 this morning and there’s been quite a few missives and phone calls since.
Lyle Plumb was ‘Johnny-on-the-spot’ though and reckons the victory of Bel Esprit 3YO, Aranda, at Singapore’s Kranji course over 1200m last night was “awesome”.
And, writing for the Singapore Turf Club, expat scribe, Craig Brennan was also mightily impressed: “Aranda, having just his second start, was throttled down by jockey Robbie Fradd to score by 5.75 lengths.
“The 3YO was one of the first to jump and Fradd had no hesitation in rolling forward on Aranda. As the field turned for home, Fradd released the brakes and opened up a commanding break. The winning margin could have been greater but for Fradd applying a stranglehold over the final 50m.
“Trainer Michael Freedman reported after the race that Fradd has a healthy opinion of Aranda and would like to stick with the galloper.
“’Robbie said he hadn’t bottomed out and there will be a lot more improvement to come from him,’ said Freedman. ‘We’ll see how he comes out of this race, but I may be tempted to aim him at the Singapore Guineas next month.’
“The Group Three $200,000 Singapore Guineas over 1600m will be run on 27 February.
“Freedman said Aranda was underdone, education wise, when he stepped out for his debut on 21 December.
“’The race experience did him the world of good and he’s going to continue to improve,’ said Freedman. ‘The Marine Stable (owners) are a good bunch of local guys who have been with me since I came up here. They are fairly new to racing but they are looking at being a major player here.’”
Bigger things in store for Aranda
Craig Brennan
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Aranda (Robbie Fradd) bolts to an easy 5.8 length win in race 5
Australian conditioner Michael Freedman is looking forward to the future with Aranda, a most impressive winner of the $65,000 Restricted Maiden-2 (2 & 3YO) Stakes over 1200m on Sunday.
The three-year-old, having just his second start, was throttled down by jockey Robbie Fradd to score by five-and-three-quarter lengths over Harvey (John Powell) with Royal Sprint (Michael Cahill) a length-and-a-quarter back in third place.
Aranda was in a piggish mood prior to the event. On one occasion he reared and dislodged Fradd before eventually relenting and entering the gates.
The gelding was one of the first to jump and Fradd had no hesitation in rolling forward on the gelding, sharing the lead with Senapathy (Mark Gallagher).
As the field turned for home, Fradd released the brakes on the gelding and the pair opened up a commanding break. The winning margin could have been greater but for Fradd putting a stranglehold on the gelding over the final 50 metres.
Freedman reported after the race that Fradd has a healthy opinion of the three-year-old and would like to stick with the galloper in the future.
“Robbie said he hadn’t bottomed out and there will be a lot more improvement to come from him,” said Fradd.
“We’ll see how he comes out of this race, but I may be tempted to aim him at the Singapore Guineas next month.”
The Group 3 $200,000 Singapore Guineas, 1600m, will be run on February 27.
Freedman said Aranda was underdone education wise when he stepped out for his debut back on December 21.
“The race experience did him the world of good and he’s going to continue to improve,” said Freedman. “Mentally, he’s still on the fragile side.”
Aranda is a three-year-old son of Bel Esprit from the Centro mare Orchid Lady and is owned by the Marine Stable which secured their first victory.
“The Marine Stable are a good bunch of local guys who have been with me since I came up here,” said Freedman.
“They’ve been great supporters and to finally win a race is a great thrill. It’s a pity they couldn’t have won with Any Humour in the race earlier.
“The Marine Stable is fairly new to racing but they are looking at being a major player here,” he said.
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