ETCHED IN TIME TO THE BIG SMOKE
Etched In Time is heading to the big smoke, and by that I mean Royal Randwick.
“Etched or Etchy,” as known in the Richard and Will Freedman stable, will now target the Midway Handicap over 1600m at Randwick on Saturday, February 7, after posting back-to-back wins when storming home at Newcastle.
“Congratulations, NSW Tycoons.
“We can now head to the Midway at Randwick in a fortnight, hopefully we can sit a little bit handier, which would suit him nicely.
“I would like to ride him quietly, but not be that far back, and some give in the ground would be ideal.” Co-trainer Will Freedman stressed.
AGAINST THE ODDS
As reported, we thought bookmakers were being overly generous with the $10 being offered on Etched In Time at Newcastle.
Sure, he was only coming off a win at Nowra, but he was more than up to this jump in class from the Country to Provincials at Newcastle, particularly if he concentrated.
And that’s how it turned out.
“This was a much better win than Nowra.
“Probably his best performance of the preparation, in fact, it was the best effort of this prep and now we continue to raise the bar,” Freedman said.
IT WAS A BIG EFFORT
Sometimes a midfield draw can be tricky, and that’s how it proved for veteran hoop Christian Reith.
Etched In Time began well, but there was plenty of traffic pushing up on the inside, and Christian found himself much further back than he wanted.
“That was a big effort, I was cursing myself after 200m because I had to go back further than I wanted or get trapped wide.
“He was on and off the bit, he travelled up well a supreme effort today to finish the way he did.” Jockey Christian Reith said.
FELT THE HARD TRACK
Plenty of NSW Tycoons owners would have noticed how Etched In Time was wanting to “hang in” up the straight.
Co-trainer Will Freedman explains.
“The reason he was laying in up the straight was that Christian said he really didn’t appreciate that firm track, so to be able to overcome that and keep going makes me very proud of him
“He travelled beautifully on the bit, and was very strong through the line,” Freedman said.
OWNERSHIP ROLLER COASTER
Racehorse ownership sure is a journey, often and correctly described as a rollercoaster ride.
Something the Freedman camp is well aware.
“It’s not an easy game, and there are plenty of bumps along the way.
“The NSW Tycoons have been extremely patient with this horse, and it’s great to see them getting rewarded.
“It’s all about enjoying the wins, so congratulations again,” Freedman said.
Let’s hope we can celebrate again at Royal Randwick in the Midway on February 7.
Go you good thing!