Sarrasin being set for The BMW

French import Sarrasin will be aimed towards the Sydney Autumn Carnival with the Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on March 25 as his main mission.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy, above, rode Sarrasin into third place in the Villiers Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy, above, rode Sarrasin into third place in the Villiers Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The lightly raced Sarrasin has had one run in Australia for an eye catching third behind Sense Of Occasion and Dibayani in the Group 2 $250,000 Inglis Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on December 17.

Co-trainer Lee Freedman said the stable was pleased with the run and immediately sent the five year to the paddock for a short break before preparing for an Autumn Carnival campaign.

“He came through that very well,” Freedman told Racing.com.

“He had two weeks off, shoes off, and just relaxed for a couple of weeks, a week at the water walker and now he is back in training.”

Freedman, who trains in partnership with his brother Anthony, said that his early Autumn Carnival campaign will depend on the weather before he heads to Sydney for the 2400m weight for age The BMW.

“He will probably run first up in either Sydney or Melbourne. We haven’t decided, probably ground related, towards the back end of February with his main aim being the The BMW,” Freedman said.

Prior to arriving at the Freedman’s Brother’s training property at Mornington, Sarrasin raced five times in France for two wins, a second, a third and a fourth.

Sarrasin was able to win at his second race start over 2400m in the Prix Caracalla at Saint Cloud in April, 2015, and then two starts later was in the winner’s stall again taking out the Listed $55,000 Prix De L’Avre (240m) at Longchamp on May 24, 2015.

Sarrasin showed that he has adapted to the Australian style of racing with his one and a quarter lengths third in the Villiers Stakes and after settling midfield for jockey Kerrin McEvoy, found space in the middle of the track to run home strongly over the unsuitable distance of 1600m.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.