The Freedman stable took plenty of heart from Santa Ana Lane’s most recent effort ahead of Saturday’s G1 Darley Sprint Classic while Le Don De Vie takes aim at the G3 Queen Elizabeth S. in his second start for the father and son team.
Santa Ana Lane has won five Group 1 contests, one of them in the 2018 edition of the Sprint Classic and his handlers are more than happy with the gelding’s condition as he bids for further success.
The 8-year-old opened his current campaign when sixth in the G2 Gilgai S. and with a strong effort filled a similar position in The TAB Everest at his only subsequent outing.
“It was a super run and it’s hard for any horse that’s back last like he was to get over the top of a field like that,” the Freedman’s Racing Manager Brad Taylor said.
“It was a super run and it’s hard for any horse that’s back last like he was to get over the top of a field like that.” – Brad Taylor
“He closed with the fastest sectionals of the race and probably got as close as he could when he got back off a hot speed.
“He came through the run really well and travelled back well. He’s in really good order and we can’t fault him.”
Santa Ana Lane will be opposed by nine rivals on Saturday and that is expected to be a key factor in his favour.
“The smaller field will suit him and hopefully the Perth mare (Fabergino) puts a bit of speed in with Nature Strip and we can sit a bit closer and reproduce what he did a couple of years ago,” Taylor said.
“All the signs are that he’s very well and enjoying stable life. We’ve mixed his training up a bit and hopefully we can get him back into the winner’s stall on Saturday,” Taylor said.
Santa Ana Lane
Newcomer pleases
Le Don De Vie won four of his 12 starts for Berkshire trainer Hughie Morrison, including the Listed August S. over 2300 metres and placed in the G3 Glorious S. before relocating to Victoria.
He finished runner-up in his Australian debut in the G3 Geelong Cup after making the play out in front and was run down late in the piece by his new stablemate Steel Prince (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who was in receipt of 1kg.
“He was very good in the Geelong Cup against Steel Prince, who was rock-hard fit. Le Don De Vie was eight weeks between runs and he felt the pinch the last little bit.”
The lightly-tried 5-year-old hadn’t missed a beat since his Geelong effort with Ben Melham to retain the ride.
“He’s fitter for the run and he’s getting used to our system now. His work earlier in the week was very good,” Taylor said.
Le Don De Vie has the handicap of the outside gate, but that won’t dictate any change of tactics.
“He’s drawn a bit sticky, but he’ll probably punch forward and be in the first few and if he reproduces that Geelong Cup run he’ll be right in the finish,” Taylor said.
