Two talented stablemates head to Rosehill bidding to put their respective careers back on track.
A low draw combined with a return to benchmark company has trainer Michael Freedman looking for a significant form turnaround from Group One winner Communist at Rosehill.
The five-year-old has gone winless since capturing the Randwick Guineas (1600m) almost 18 months ago, his best effort since then a fourth in the 2023 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Freedman admits Communist's racing career is at a crossroads, and he views Saturday's Bankstown Sports Handicap (1500m) as an ideal opportunity for the gelding to show he still has something to offer.
"It's fair to say he needs to put his hand up barring any excuses because he has been a long time out of form," Freedman said.
Communist resumed with a sound effort behind Tom Kitten in the Spring Preview (1400m) earlier this month when he settled near the rear from a wide gate.
He has barrier four on Saturday and Freedman says that should allow Tommy Berry to position him within striking distance and give Communist an opportunity to feature in the finish.
"His first-up run was a pass mark after ten months off," Freedman said.
"He has trained on really well and he has drawn a much better gate on Saturday, which will hopefully allow us to be a bit more positive on him than we could the other day from his wide gate.
"From that draw we'll try to have him handier and give him every chance."
Moravia is unlikely to run in the Mounties Group Handicap (1200m) after coming up with a horror draw in 19, but stablemate Blanc De Blanc remains under consideration for the race if she gets a start as second emergency.
A dual acceptor, Blanc De Blanc has drawn barrier seven in the benchmark 88, while she will have to overcome gate 10 of 11 if she takes her place in the ClubsNSW Handicap (1100m).
A two-time Group placegetter as a juvenile, the mare has only raced twice since finishing sixth in Shinzo's Golden Slipper, having missed last spring with an issue then endured an interrupted autumn.
"She is just one of those mares that has had no luck," Freedman said.
"But she is going well. We're just going to keep an eye on scratchings in the benchmark 88 and also keep an eye on the benchmark 78. I am very happy with how she's going."
