The boss may not be around, but the Michael Freedman yard kept the home fires burning with a second winner over the weekend on Sunday – the very smart Holy Empire.
Freedman went to China to attend Saturday’s landmark race meeting staged in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, the brainchild of the China Horse Club who owns two horses he trains - Tropaios and the unbeaten Rite Of Spring.
In his absence, Eisenheim flew the flag high for the Australian mentor on Friday night before Holy Empire, who was at only his third run for him, accounted for his six rivals in Sunday’s $75,000 Class 3 race (1600m) with panache – to give further credence to this old banter among stable staff that “horses run better when the boss is away”.
Freedman’s assistant-trainer James Peters had every reason to nod in appreciation when Holy Empire took full advantage of a hollow lead under jockey Alan Munro to turn the race into a 600m sprint which could only work in their favour. At his last start a fortnight ago, Holy Empire led in a 1600m race, but was reefing and tearing and was eventually reeled in by Cash Luck in the concluding stages.
As Holy Empire ($11 favourite), a beautiful specimen by Holy Roman Empire, drifted to the middle of the track, Orakei Korako (Corey Brown) sniffed an opportunity as he dove for the inside run, but once Munro went full throttle on Holy Empire, he could only scavenge a few lengths to settle for a gallant second 1 ½ lengths in arrears.
Irish Rebel momentarily loomed as a threat when jockey Manoel Nunes turned on the gas at the 400m, but remained one-paced to the line to finish third a gap of 2 ¾ lengths away while second-elect The Rude Warrior (Joao Moreira) never really made his presence felt in the finish to wind up in fourth spot another head away. The winning time was 1min 36.53secs.
With that fourth success from eight runs under his belt, the four-year-old entire could now be on a pathway to greater riches.
“The Kranji Mile could be a race for him, but nothing’s been decided yet as we also have other horses like Mr Big, Super Ninetyseven and Nandowra in it,” said Peters.
“Last time out he was too fresh and was choked out. He was a lot more relaxed tonight and Alan rated him very well in front.
“He doesn’t necessarily have to lead, but it was a small field and we knew there would be no pace in the race.
“At the same time he’s a horse you can’t fight. Alan was able to control the tempo and save a bit for the finish.”
Munro said a race like the Group 1 Panasonic Kranji Mile (1600m), the first Leg of the Singapore Triple Crown Series, would be right up Holy Empire’s alley.
“I was very happy with his run today. He settled a lot better and pricked his ears when I asked him to go,” said the British hoop.
“The Kranji Mile should be a nice race for him.”
