Co-trainer Will Freedman is hopeful that a seven-day back-up will be the key for talented colt Genesis Runner, who is still feeling the effects of a very close second in the Dulcify Stakes.

The three-year-old was defeated by a mere short half-head by Wonka. Both runners are set to compete again in Saturday’s Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill, with the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) a fortnight later as their next objective.

Freedman acknowledged that he would have preferred to be entering the weekend with a stakes win, but he is encouraged by the colt’s recovery from his last run.

“It’s frustrating, but onto the next,” Freedman remarked about the Dulcify loss. “Your hand is slightly forced because the alternative is to go three weeks between runs, and then go up four hundred metres (in distance). If you feel like you’ve got an athletic horse that doesn’t need the run then great, you can wait the three weeks. But for a horse like him that needs a bit of racing to hit peak fitness, the back-up was a pretty straightforward answer, and the fact he pulled up so well and was bucking and carrying on Monday morning sealed the deal.”

Saturday will mark the first occasion Genesis Runner has raced on a seven-day turnaround. Freedman is optimistic that this strategy will suit the colt, who is known to be a “gross-doing” type.

A minor gear adjustment has been made, with blinkers being replaced by visors, as suggested by jockey Chad Schofield.

“Chad felt, with the blinkers, he lost sight of the bunny a little bit and gave Wonka the ability to then go ahead, and he kicked late again,” Freedman explained. “It’s just to give him that slight bit of visibility so he doesn’t switch off in thinking his job is done.”

With Concrete Storm scratched, a field of 11 will contest the Gloaming Stakes (1800m). The undefeated Proxima Dea is the $4 favourite, aiming to become only the second filly to win the race after Constant Flight in 1993.

Genesis Runner is rated at $4.60 in the early betting markets.

Nine horses have managed to win both the Gloaming and Spring Champion Stakes in the past 30 years, with El Castello being the most recent victor in 2024.

Stablemate Magnatear is also scheduled to run in the Alan Brown Stakes (1400m), acting as his final preparation for The Big Dance (1600m) on Melbourne Cup day.

“He likes Rosehill, so he’ll roll forward and do his thing. He’s as genuine as they come, but it’s a hot field,” Freedman commented. “He’ll have two-and-a-half weeks into the Big Dance. This is a $1.5 million race, it’s not taken lightly, but I think he’ll be better with another run under his belt and then he should be ready to fire.”

Looking for the best racing betting markets for the Gloaming Stakes? You can find them at various Australian betting sites.