Our Ivanhowe will make his Australian racing debut in the 2015 Lee Stakes at Morphettville tomorrow and co-trainer Lee Freedman admits that he does not know what to expected from the imported German stayer.
Damien Oliver will have the chance to continue his outstanding association with Lee Freedman when he partners Our Ivanhowe in the Lee Stakes. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Our Ivanhowe won the Group 1 Grosser Preis Von Baden (2413m) at Baden Baden on September 7 last year and the Group 1 Grosser Preis Vaon Bayern (2414m) in Munich on November 1 before he finished a more than credible sixth in the Group 1 Japan Cup (2400m) on November 30, but he has not had a race start over a mile since he finished second behind Stellato in Dusseldorf on debut in October of 2012.
The Solider Hollow gelding trialed well at Cranbourne on April 27 and Freedman told Racing Ahead that he is very happy with the condition of the imported stayer, but he has no idea how the classy galloper will handle his first race start in Australia in the 2015 R A Lee Stakes.
“I am very happy with the horse,” Freedman said.
“I don’t protest to know how he will run over 1600 metres first-up and I don’t believe that they do sprint well fresh, but having said I am very pleased with him and he is in very good order.
“He is probably going to be midfield or in the second half of the field and hopefully there is enough pace on for him to make a good impression over the last 400.
“I won’t know until I see the examination, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me if he won and his ratings show that he is a class horse.
“I think that he is in very good order and I have kept his work short and sharp.
“My gut feeling is that he will run very, very well.”
Freedman is yet to decide what path Our Ivanhowe will follow during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, but he is set to be included in the nominations for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3, Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 17 and Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 24.
Our Ivanhowe is currently available at 2015 R A Lee Stakes odds of $2.60 with Ladbrokes and he is a clear favourite from last start winner The Bowler ($5), Phillip Stokes-trained Dylanson ($6), promising mare Metaphorical ($7.50) and Nitschke Stakes winner Japhils ($12).
