The gelding of Aussie Nugget and the addition of blinkers has worked wonders for the Irish import who makes his city debut at Sandown.
The lightly raced Aussie Nugget will attempt to make it three straight when he runs in The Big Screen Company Handicap (1800m) on Wednesday.
Aussie Nugget is owned in similar interests to Melbourne Cup starter Steel Prince and following Wednesday’s race will be sent for a spell.
Sam Freedman, assistant trainer to his father Anthony, said Aussie Nugget arrived at their stable around the same time as Steel Prince.
Steel Prince started his Australian career with Darren Weir before moving to the Freedman stable in February.
The stayer won his first five races for Freedman, culminating in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington which earned Steel Prince a start in the Melbourne Cup in which he was ninth behind Vow And Declare.
Freedman said the ownership group had since bought another couple of European horses which are currently in work.
“They both look staying types,” Freedman said.
“I think they’re happy with the way Steel Prince went for us so we’ll try and make a similar type of path towards the Andrew Ramsden with a few of these as well.”
Freedman said Aussie Nugget’s first campaign with the stable was OK before a break.
“We gelded him and ran him first-up and then we worked him in blinkers and he showed a lot of improvement in them,” Freedman said.
“He’s going the right way.”
After a first-up sixth at Geelong in September, Aussie Nugget has gone on to record victories at Seymour and Bendigo since the blinkers were applied.
Freedman said the stable would let Aussie Nugget dictate to them what his best distance may be.
“He might be a mile, 2000-metre type horse but if he showed the ability to stay further, which his pedigree suggests he should, then he could go down that path (Andrew Ramsden) as well,” Freedman said.
“It will be his last run for the prep, win lose or draw and then he can have a good break and head towards the autumn.”
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au
