Michael Freedman is optimistic that Apocalyptic can make a return to the winner’s circle this Saturday, a position she hasn’t occupied since last year’s Group 1 Flight Stakes.
The four-year-old mare, by Extreme Choice, will be contesting the Group 2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill, running over 1400 metres for the first time this preparation.
This $300,000 race represents Apocalyptic’s third start this campaign. She commenced with a promising third in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m), followed by a fifth-place finish in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) on September 12.
Apocalyptic’s performance in the Sheraco Stakes was her lowest of the preparation, during which she displayed a reluctance to run straight in the home stretch, hindering jockey Tommy Berry. Freedman is anticipating that recent physiotherapy and the addition of a tongue tie will help her perform closer to her best.
“She just wanted to hang in the straight a bit, which cost Tommy being able to actually ride her out properly,” Freedman said of the Sheraco Stakes. “So, we’ve done a little bit of work with the physio and we’ll probably try her in a slightly different bit. It was just a bit frustrating that she really only straightened up the last 50 or 100 metres and she really hit the line strongly.”
“Hopefully, if we can prevent her doing that again on Saturday, we can see the real her. But she seems to be going as well as she was 12 months ago and I think the 1400 is probably a better tempo for her.”
Apocalyptic is looking for her fourth career win from ten starts. Her notable past results include a close second in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and Group 2 victories in the Furious Stakes (1200m) and Tea Rose Stakes (1400m).
Her upcoming run at Rosehill will be crucial for Freedman in determining her future racing targets, with the mare having a significant following of enthusiastic owners through MyRacehorse.
“We’re just keeping a pretty open mind at this stage,” Freedman stated. “There are a lot of those nice mares’ races around, you’ve got The Invitation later in the spring, but we’re just taking it one run at a time at the moment.”
Apocalyptic is drawn barrier two in the nine-horse field, which is notably headed by Group 1 winner Lazzura.
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