Speedster Santa Ana Exceeds Expectations At Cranbourne
The principals at Freedman racing are extremely happy with the performance of their Group one-winning stable star, Santa Ana Lane. He trialled exceptionally at Cranbourne and will have another hitout later this month.
Freedman’s racing manager Brad Taylor said the stable was thrilled with how the colt have come back.
“Santa was just there for a nice day out. He takes a couple of trials and a race to get fully fit. He was good through the line. Taylor said.
Anthony Freedman trains the impressively effacious galloper selected by well-known auctioneers, Inglis to represent their slot in the second installment of the A$13m event. Freedman has commented that Santa Ana Lane is ‘nicely progressing’ towards the 13October date.
A A$80,000 purchase, he has amassed a veritable fortune of A$2.2 million in prize money in his young life with just 27 starts.
Currently his Timeform rating currently stands at 124 alongside fellow contestant Brave Smash. Only Redzel and Trapeze Artist are ranked higher at 126.
The son of Lope De Vega is known for his ‘barnstorming’ finishes. He brilliantly demonstrated one his signature finishes in the the Gr. I Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (2017) when he upstaged his betters. The multi-group winning colt ended 2017-18 with successive big race wins in The Goodwood and Stradbroke Handicap.
Anthony Freedman has proven his caliber for training at the elite level through the concomitant of hard work and sheer training artistry following the departure of his brother Lee to Singapore. Freedman also trains fellow Everest contender and triple Gr.1 winning Fastenet Rock filly, Shoals.
Everest contenders Shoals and Santa Ana Lane contested the same barrier trial at Cranbourne where both stable stars exceeded expectations.
The Anthony Freedman-trained Shoals finished second, beaten a head by the Mick Price-trained Ardrossan, under Jye McNeil and Santa Ana Lane was ridden by Ben Melham and cruised home in front of one in the nine-horse heat over 900m, completed in 47.62 seconds.
After the trials, Sam Freedman said the first starts for Shoals and Santa Ana Lane were yet to be decided.
“We’ll see how they are in two weeks’ time and then sort it out,” Freedman said. “Santa Ana Lane will have two runs into the Everest but we haven’t decided which they will be yet.
At the time of his selection for the Everest, Arthur Inglis, deputy chairman of Inglis, said Santa Ana Lane deserves his place in the elite Everest field.
“Inglis is proud and excited to be associated with the Santa Ana Lane team as they commence their assault on The Everest this year,’’ Inglis said.
Credit: Pallavi Shvade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com