Sam and Anthony Freedman look to replicate recent sprint dominance by entering Tropicus and Point Barrow in the Oakleigh Plate for another Group 1 strike.
Caulfield’s Saturday 1100m handicap stands as the autumn sprint litmus test in Melbourne, where both competitors join Tentyris from last week’s Black Caviar Lightning triumph by resuming without a prior run.
Following a sixth placing to Giga Kick in the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) to cap off Melbourne Cup week, Tropicus returns, matched by Point Barrow after her Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1200m) win at Flemington on Oaks Day.
Both have ticked the right boxes in preparation for Saturday, Sam Freedman revealed, while noting their racing manners set them apart from Tentyris.
Completing a duo of trials, Point Barrow’s latest effort unfolded at Balnarring on January 28 ridden by Jamie Melham, who secures the Caulfield mount for the first time in earnest.
“She’s had a great prep so far,” Freedman said.
“She’s ready to run a really good race and just needs a bit of luck.
“She’s a bit like Tentyris, she sits back and has that powerful finish, and hopefully it’s a similar result.”
Mornington’s trials saw Tropicus win his first last month before a near-miss second on January 22 ahead of Tentyris.
A strong fit given his Caulfield history and suitability to 1100m fresh, Freedman views the Oakleigh Plate ideally for Tropicus.
Two starts prior in the October Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield, he led until Giga Kick nabbed him late.
“He’s got a great Caulfield record, and 1100 metres first-up suits him,” Freedman said.
“Tactically for him, it’s better as he’ll be on the speed, but I just don’t know what weight he’ll get.
“I thought he might get 52 (kilos) in a normal year, but it looks like he might be up around the 56 mark which will mark it a hard weight for him to carry, but he’ll take luck out of it by being up there.”
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