Freedman Pleased with Oaks Hopeful Dancing Hare

Trainer Lee Freedman is confident that Dancing Hare has the makings of a serious Oaks filly, ahead of her second career appearance at Mornington Racecourse this afternoon.

Trainer Lee Freedman is confident that Dancing Hare has the makings of an Oaks filly. Photo: Taron Clarke

Trainer Lee Freedman is confident that Dancing Hare has the makings of an Oaks filly. Photo: Taron Clarke

Trialling well in the lead-up to her competitive debut, Dancing Hare immediately stamped herself as a filly to follow when she delivered a smart field a comfortable defeat in Jayco Maiden Plate (1400m) at Bendigo on November 24th.

Freedman told Racing Victoria that he has been thrilled with everything the daughter of Fastnet Rock has produced through her short racing tenure so far and while the conditions at Mornington this afternoon might not suit, he remains confident she will run out of her skin.

“Initially this meeting was set down for Sandown and I thought that type of circuit would suit her better than Mornington, which can be sometimes tricky for horses that get back in the field,” Freedman said.

“And then on top of that we have drawn barrier eight which is likely to mean we will ride her back in the early stages.

“If she had drawn a barrier I would have been interested to see if she can take up a position closer to the lead up in distance but that may be tricky today.

“She has been quite a slow-maturing filly and always given us the indication we wouldn’t start to see her full potential until the autumn of her three-year-old preparation.

“I’d like to think she is an Oaks filly, there can be quite a variance between Sydney, Adelaide or Brisbane but Lee Curtis‘ filly (Lasqueti Spirit, Crown Oaks Winner) showed how quickly they can emerge.

“I think when we get her up over 2000m and beyond she will really come in to her own.”

Drawn in barrier 10 on debut, Dancing Hare took an ideal position in transit and was produced at the right time by jockey Craig Williams, to find the line more than a half a length ahead of closest rival La Dalliance.

Dancing Hare is currently available at odds of $4.60 to win the Splashland.com.au BM64 (1600m) at Mornington this afternoon, with online bookie Ladbrokes Australia.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.