The Clarendon Stakes at Hawkesbury has served as a springboard for several notable careers, and trainer Michael Freedman is optimistic Aerodrome could be the next to emerge from it.

Making his debut earlier this month, the son of Ole Kirk produced a determined effort at Warwick Farm, reeling in Hidden Motive, who subsequently placed at a Saturday metropolitan meeting. The pair gapped the rest of the field by close to five lengths.

Freedman, fresh from winning the Golden Slipper with Marhoona, believes Aerodrome has above-average ability. A strong showing in the Clarendon Stakes (1400m) could see the promising youngster booked for a Queensland winter campaign.

“I thought his first-up effort was terrific and he has improved off the back of that,” Freedman said.

“He will head to the Clarendon at Hawkesbury and if he can put in a good performance there, he will earn himself a trip to Queensland for something.

“A run over 1400 on Saturday will give us a much better idea (of his distance range) and if he is able to perform there, we could look at going up for races like the Sires’ Produce and J J (Atkins) potentially.”

The Clarendon Stakes is strategically positioned between the Sydney and Brisbane carnivals, making it a key target for late-developing two-year-olds, even though it doesn’t carry black-type status.

Zoustar is among the race’s most successful alumni, having won the 2013 edition before capturing the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) and later clinching two Group 1 titles during the spring, setting up a prestigious stud career.

Winners like Graff (2018) and Zardozi (2023), who later went on to claim the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m), further highlight the race’s importance as a proving ground for emerging talent.

Hawkesbury’s standalone Saturday race day has grown into a highlight of the racing calendar, featuring four stakes races including the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) which offers a pathway to the Big Dance.