Michael Freedman has trained some elite performers, yet he says none has stirred him quite like Flight Stakes star Apocalyptic.
The outstanding three-year-old sealed her status as Sydney’s benchmark filly by dominating the Princess Series finale, adding Saturday’s Flight Stakes (1600m) at Randwick to earlier victories in the Furious (1200m) and Tea Rose Stakes (1400m).
Freedman, who also prepared 2021 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside, didn’t hide his excitement afterward.
“I haven’t been,” Freedman said.
“I think it is quite rare to see horses that can come out in their first four starts – she was unlucky here first-up in December – and then go Group Two, Group Two, Group One. It’s pretty rare air.
“She is a special filly. I’m a bit lost for words.
“You spend a lot of time in this business trying to find horses like this and the world is her oyster.”
From a wide alley, Tommy Berry elected to be positive, sliding Apocalyptic ($1.65 fav) to sit second before asking for the effort. She quickened decisively to defeat Within The Law ($6) by 1-1/4 lengths, with Karinska ($26) another half-neck away.
Freedman explained the on-pace ride was a tactical adjustment when the risk of being posted loomed.
“We didn’t necessarily want to be up as close as we were but I could see when Tommy thought he was going to be three-wide without cover again, we had discussed trying to avoid doing that,” he said.
“Sitting up at the leader’s girth was Plan B but great turn of foot. Great filly.”
Connections will weigh up Melbourne or the paddock next, with the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) or Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) logical targets if they continue.
Runner-up jockey Jason Collett took heart from a softer draw for Within The Law.
“Far better today. She was able to use the better barrier. Good to see her back on track,” Collett said.
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