Freedmans load up for spring with promising Gun Runner colt

Co-trainer Will Freedman says his in-form “IGA” Rosehill team needs “more bullets” if it is going to keep finding the mark against the major stables into the spring carnival, and he’s hoping a son of top American sire, Gun Runner, can do just that.

Genesis Runner, a $575,000 buy for Yulong, will step up from an impressive Newcastle win to tackle the group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The dominant 1300m win on a heavy Newcastle track at the colt’s second start was a first victory in Australia for a progeny of Gun Runner, which has a service fee of almost $350,000 and is ranked among the world’s best sires.

Will, who trains in partnership with his father, Richard, was excited to see Genesis Runner tested at stakes grade. He was a $5 TAB chance from gate one with Kerrin McEvoy to ride, after starting the week at $15.

“We loved him as a yearling and we gave a small list to the team at Yulong, off the back of Pocketing being quite successful for us, and they concurred that they liked him as a type,” Will said.

“We’re very fortunate to have the support of Yulong. They are a very important client for any stable, but particularly when you have limited opportunities with big owners, you want to make the most of it, and he’s certainly helping us out in that capacity.

“He wasn’t cheap, but he’s turned into a beautiful-looking horse. We were parading him the other day and physically, he’s in just such good nick.

“The 1300 is a big ask at this level, it’s a big step up in grade, but more than anything, it gets you on the right leg if you are going through races like the Ming Dynasty into a Guineas or even a Dulcify going to a Spring Champion.”

The on-speed victory at Newcastle came after a fourth there on debut at 1200m as favourite, when he made up ground from back in the field. Freedman said there were excuses for the first run and he was pleased with Genesis Runner’s progress.

“He had a little bit of a temperature, then second-up he was able to sit on speed. I think his natural racing style will be to sit on speed and build throughout the race, but it’s probably a little too soon to really know.

“His trials have definitely been impressive when he’s been able to get rolling at the 600m mark. He seems to be able to sustain a long sprint, much like those American horses.

“It’s no easy race the Up And Coming, and good horses have won it, but he’s well weighted and he’ll be there a while. It’s just whether the last 100m is tough for him.

“He’s still a boy and he’ll have to keep progressing, but he was too good at maiden grade and the ratings were quite flattering, so we thought this isn’t out of the realms of possibility.”

The promise of Genesis Runner comes as the Freedmans enjoy a hot run of form over the past two months of eight city winners, six of which have been at their home track. Will hopes Genesis Runner, Big Dance hopes Magnatear and Rolling Magic, and promising filly Mille Feuille can carry that momentum into the spring.