Jockey Hugh Bowman was thrilled with the performance mustered by Guardini to win the Group 3 Japan Racing Plate (2000m) over the weekend, and is confident the horse has the making of a serious Group 1 contender through upcoming preparations.
Guardini will be set for the 2016 Brisbane Cup after winning Saturday’s Group 3 Japan Racing Association Plate. Photo: Steve Hart
Guardini has fast stamped himself as one to watch through his short time under the care of Lee and Anthony Freedman, but has posted three wins and two minors through a total of twelve career starts since debuting in his native France in 2014.
Guardini was able to overcome an awkward draw despite a relative slow start in the Japan Racing Association Plate at Randwick on Saturday, and produced a particularly smart turn of foot in the final straight to beat closest rival Index Linked to the line by close to two lengths.
Bowman undoubtedly delivered a gem of a ride on the son of Dalakhani in the race, but was quick to lay all the praise on the horse in the success and believes the horse is poised to deliver the Freedmans plenty of success.
“He was in a beautiful rhythm throughout and he was dominant late,” Bowman told The Daily Telegraph.
“I was a little slow away and once that happened I just had to let the race unfold.
“I didn’t try to push for a position, I was just happy to be content with being wide and the way the track’s playing it probably wants the end of the world anyway.
“It’s so important to get your horse into a rhythm but gee he really worked into it well coming into the corner and he was very strong late.
“Whether he’s up to the top grade time will tell, but he’s certainly got the action to suggest he’s a genuine Group 1 horse.”
Lee Freedman was similarly impressed with the performance and revealed the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) during the upcoming Winter Carnival will figure as the next major target before Group 1 racing in considered.
“The horse just travelled beautifully, he has come into himself now,” Freedman said after the race.
“He is a high-class horse and I think there is a good future for him.
“He looks a nice Brisbane Cup horse and it’s great for him to be in form, the owners that are in him have put a lot of money into horses, a lot of trust in me and I am really happy we got a result.”
Guardini is a multiple Stakes winner, having taken out each of the Group 3 Prix Du Lys Longines (2400m) and Group 2 Gerling Preis (2414m) most notably through his European tenure.
