Anthony and Sam Freedman, in partnership with Godolphin, have resisted the temptation to run exciting colt Tentyris in The Everest, instead keeping their sights set on the Coolmore Stud Stakes — the key spring goal for the three-year-old sprinter.
The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington is widely regarded as the defining stallion-making race for colts, and the team sees it as the ideal grand final. Tentyris will take a different path this weekend, contesting the Listed Gothic Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield rather than The Everest at Randwick.
“His Grand Final is the Coolmore,” Sam Freedman said.
“We’ve left the opportunity there to back up into the Champions Sprint on the last day of Cup week should his form warrant to do that.
“There had been discussions around The Everest, but it was felt we would save him for the older horses on the last day rather than before his Grand Final.”
Tentyris was one of last season’s most promising two-year-olds, winning the Todman Stakes (1200m) before a stress fracture forced him to miss the Golden Slipper.
“He had a stress fracture behind,” Freedman said. “They’re not uncommon. It would have been nicer if it was after the Slipper than after the Todman.
“He did all his rehab and everything and there’s been no need to do anything different. He’s moving well and ready to go.”
Returning from injury, Tentyris ran third to McGaw in the Danehill Stakes (1100m) earlier this month, a performance Freedman said he’s expected to improve sharply on as he builds towards peak condition.
“He’s improving into his prep,” Freedman said. “He’s probably not fully screwed down but he’s more forward than what he was for the Danehill. He had a long lay-off, he had two trials, and he should improve into this weekend and then again in a fortnight.”
Punters can follow Tentyris’ progress towards the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Champions Sprint by checking the latest markets at Australia’s leading betting sites — the most searched destinations for horse racing odds, tips, and spring carnival promotions.
