Sharing a moment of glory on the debut day of The Championships at Randwick, two Freedman brothers basked in victory as Profoundly affirmed her Australian Oaks potential in the Adrian Knox Stakes.
The filly, fresh from a placing in the Kembla Grange Classic, is prepared by Michael Freedman and co-owned by his brother Lee, the celebrated Hall of Famer who bought her at the sales, conducted early work with her, and relocated to oversee Michael’s Gold Coast base last July.
“I bought her when I was training for $65,000,” Lee Freedman said.
“Then when I turned it up, I was looking for a good trainer, and my brother rang me.
“I was really happy that the form from Kembla worked out, because a lot of people were saying it was slowly run and it wouldn’t be good form.
“But I just knew that this filly had improvement to come, and we’d never run her over a mile-and-a-quarter. All she wanted to do was stay.”
Tommy Berry partnered Profoundly ($5) to a powerful victory, edging out Soverato ($3 fav) by 2-1/4 lengths, as Satono Invader ($51) trailed by another 1-1/4 lengths for third.
Her trainer Michael Freedman is optimistic about running the Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) winner back at Randwick in a week for the Group 1 Oaks (2400m), provided she thrives during recovery.
“Why not? I think we’ll be here next week,” Michael Freedman said.
The result gains deeper resonance racing in the Freedman signature silks: red with purple sash, white sleeves and purple cap, colours synonymous with greats like 1992 Melbourne Cup winner Subzero, 1994 Golden Slipper winner Danzero, and 2003 Caulfield Cup winner Mummify.
Berry intends to stay aboard for the Oaks, impressed by her lung capacity and ease.
“She is a very clean-winded filly. She pulled up lovely then,” Berry said.
“She spends no petrol in the run, and she does it without any effort.”
Following the performance, Profoundly sits second in Australian Oaks betting on $4.50, with New Zealand classic winner Ohope Wins heading the market at $2.20.
Head to trusted betting sites for the keenest odds on Profoundly in the upcoming Australian Oaks.
