Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is ready to live up to his favouritism tag for the Hong Kong Vase on Sunday, with co-trainer Sam Freedman saying he is in good order after his flight over.
Adding to that, the 7-year-old gelding and $4-winning chance has a clean bill of health after picking up a tendon injury following his historic Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double last year.
Following those heroics, the Freedman stable – with 28-year-old Sam training alongside his father Anthony – said the champion stayer would need a period of rehabilitation, which prevented him from racing in autumn of this year.
But after a strong showing first up, finishing third in the G1 Champions S. at Flemington on November 9, Freedman said Without A Fight would be tough to beat in the G1 Hong Vase at Sha Tin, worth HK$24 million (A$4.74 million) and run over 2400 metres.
Sam Freedman and Without A Fight (Ire) after winning the 2023 G1 Melbourne Cup | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I think so (he’ll handle Hong Kong conditions). He’s got world-class form, and it was a good return run at Flemington over the Carnival, and he’s tightened up nicely since then,” Freedman told The Thoroughbred Report from Hong Kong.
“I think whatever is thrown up at him on Sunday, he’s capable of taking it on.
“He’s been able to absorb good pressure in the past, so we’ll see how the race transpires on Sunday.”
Freedman added Without A Fight – who became the first horse in 22 years to take out the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double last year – handled the international flight well.
“He’s really well. He’s a well-travelled horse, and it’s so far, so good,” he said.
“He’s (Without A Fight) been able to absorb good pressure in the past, so we’ll see how the race transpires on Sunday. He’s really well. He’s a well-travelled horse.” - Sam Freedman
“He’s been keen on his feed bin, and been nice and settled out on the track. So all the signs have been good.”
Freedman was happy with Without A Fight’s third placing in the Champions S., in what was his first start since his dominant 2l win in the Melbourne Cup last year.
Without A Fight (Ire) arriving into Hong Kong on November 26 | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
In the days following that result, Freedman made the Vase the target for his gelding who has amassed $9,734,881 in career prizemoney for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.
“It was a case of rehabbing the tendon after the Cup last year, and we had a Spring plan for him,” Freedman said.
“Whether it was a Cup or a Cox Plate, we were going to run out of time there. So we set our sights on Hong Kong, and we made this a real target race for him this time around.
“We decided this would be the right way to go with him, and thankfully everything has gone to plan so far.”
Without A Fight is by Teofilo (Ire), who has produced 117 stakes winners, and is the only active stallion with a G1 winner in his first 11 crops.
Dam Khor Sheed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was bought for just GBP$28,000 (AU$54,668) by Yulong Stud from Harry Dutfield under the BBA Ireland banner at the Tattersals February Sale last year.
Peter and Ross Doyle then purchased her for GBP$82,000 (AU$160,101) from renowned pinhooker Harry Dutfield at the 2023 Goffs Doncaster Premier Yearling Sales.
Without A Fight (Ire) at trackwork in Hong Kong on Monday | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
Freedmans after Sydney success
Meanwhile, Freedman said he was excited about the opportunities for him and Anthony at their newly-announced satellite stable at Randwick, with the intention for it to open following the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in mid-January.
The father-and-son team will have 24 boxes at the premier Sydney racing venue, giving them better access to the riches available in New South Wales, as well as Queensland, with a focus on its Magic Millions and Winter Carnivals.
“It’s very exciting. It goes without saying that the racing in Sydney is world-class. The prizemoney is superb,” Freedman said.
“It’s (opening a satellite stable at Randwick) very exciting. It goes without saying that the racing in Sydney is world-class. The prizemoney is superb.” - Sam Freedman
“It was a discussion that Anthony and I had for a little while, and we’re thankful to be given the opportunity to train at Randwick, which was a big part of us coming up.
“We’re only going to have 24 boxes, but I think it’ll be a really good, solid team.”
The Freedman stable in Sydney will focus on quality performances, not quantity.
“We’re hopeful we can make some sort of impact up there. It’s not easy and it’s very competitive,” he said.
“We’re not going to have the numbers to compete with the very top, but hopefully we can hit the mark with a few of them.”
