Vagrant has helped ease the pain for the Mitchell Freedman stable with a Stakes race victory at Caulfield.
Freedman revealed after Vagrant took out the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) on Saturday that a member of the stable had been injured during the week.
“It’s been a pretty tough week at home,” Freedman said.
“We had a horse suffer a catastrophic injury and one of our really good staff members and riders got pretty badly beaten up and is at home with a sore head.
“Hopefully that puts a smile on her face, and I can’t thank the staff enough for the job they do.
“It’s a tough game and it’s great this horse was able to salute today.”
Ridden by Beau Mertens, Vagant ($5.50) completed a winning hat-trick when she scored by 1-¼ lengths from Penthouse ($5.50) with Party For One ($9) a further 1-¾ lengths away third.
It had not all been plain sailing for Freedman and his staff getting Vagrant to Saturday’s race.
He said the mare had been troubled by hind feet issues since her win at Flemington last month.
“She’s had a few problems with her feet since her last run and my farrier Stephen Burn has done a ripping job with her,” Freedman said.
“I was away in New Zealand last week and was on the phone every half-an-hour annoying them, but they did a great job getting her up to speed.
“She’s a very gritty mare. She loves winning, she’s very determined and you can’t teach that.”
With Saturday’s win at Stakes level, Freedman said he may have to rethink a trip to Tasmania with the mare.
The Group 3 Vamos Stakes (1400m) at Launceston later in the month was going to be Vagrant’s Grand Final, but Freedman said it may now be easier to stay at home.
“Winning that race is probably equal to winning that race in Tassie, so we’ll assess all the options,” Freedman said.
“The nominations were held over for this race. We threw her in and thought we were a chance.”