Randwick trainer Michael Freedman has a talented group of 3-year-olds in his stable and on Saturday at the Newcastle Jockey Clubs second day of their Spring Carnival he was successful with two highly promising 3-year-old gallopers. Freedman landed a double win with 3-year-olds Magenta Skies and Decorum on Friday the first day of the NJC’s Spring Carnival and on Saturday it was Extractor and Ruinations time to shine. Extractor was backed from $1.90 into $1.65 in the 1250 metre J&H Commercial Maiden Plate after an unlucky second placing when odds on favourite at Gosford on August 29. After a moderate start Keagan Latham drove the colt forward to trail the leader and when let down halfway down the straight Extractor sprinted clear and given an easy time late when won by a length.
Ruination a lovely colt and son of one of the world’s boom sires Wooton Bassett was all the rage with punters in the final event the 1400 metre Gateshead Traffic Solutions Benchmark 64 Handicap. The $2 favourite wasn’t quick to begin but Latham gave the colt a nice run in transit to sit fourth on the rail. Once in the clear 300 metres from home Ruination sprinted away and under little pressure won by a length. He is unbeaten in two starts and has a bright future.
Meanwhile Freedman capped his successful day with crack 3-year-old filly Apocalyptic an easy winner of the Group2 Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick.
Taree 4-year-old Bodhi Boy was rewarded for his consistency taking out the feature event the 1300 metre Prosperity Advisers Ladies Day Cup. The gelding was $3 when TAB went up with their fixed price odds market on Friday, but he was smashed into $1.70 on race day. Talented apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald rode the winner, and it was a smart ride. Bodhi Boy was first out of the barriers and led for the first 300 metres before taking a sit behind a tearaway leader. Fitzgerald let him stride up outside the leader on the home turn and he dashed well clear half was down the straight. The winner raced by Central Coast businessman Col Keane a former Gosford Race Club Director and major sponsor at Gosford and Wyong Race Clubs.
Fitzgerald has already ridden 14 winners this season after steering home 86.5 winners’ last season.
The Newcastle Jockey Club were blessed with lovely sunny weather for the two-day Spring Carnival, and the track was at its very best. The racing was high quality and attracted hefty crowds on both days.