The quality Russian Revolution colt Libertad stretched his unbeaten sequence to three when downing a high-class field of three-year-olds in Saturday’s Group III Smithfield RSL San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Given a masterly ride by Chad Schofield, the Annabel Neasham-trained colt kept up a strong gallop to defeat the $800,000 Snitzel colt Moravia by three quarts of a length with the $750,000 Written Tycoon colt Butch Cassidy a half-neck back in third.
Making his first start since capturing the $200,000 Group III Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick on April 1, the Trilogy Racing colour-bearer advances his earnings to $287,650.
Annabel Neasham said there is plenty of improvement in Libertad.
“From the tricky draw that was a masterstroke from Chad to end up in that spot,” Neasham said.
“The plan was just to ride the horse. We didn’t know really what to do from the gate. He jumped really well. I thought we would be further back than we were.”
“He just slotted into that spot and once we were there it was going to take a tough one to beat him but the exciting thing with him is he is still pretty woolly in the coat. When I was saddling him up, he had tufts of hair coming out of him. He’s an exciting colt with a big group of owners, including Trilogy, and he’s taking them on a good ride.”
“He will hopefully just take the traditional route. A couple of weeks into the Run To The Rose and then the Golden Rose. I think he will be better again over further. Chad has always had a lot of confidence in this horse. He sat on him like a church mouse coming up to the 250m. I was getting worried he was leaving it a bit late. He has a lot of ability, and I don’t know the sky is hopefully the limit.”
“He is very diverse and the nice thing with him is he has the most beautiful temperament to go with it.”
Chad Schofield admitted he thought the son of Russian Revolution would need the run.
“I’ll be honest. Coming here today, I thought we might need the run,” he said.
“We drew the widest gate and planned to ride the horse quietly. I did say I would ride the horse on feel.”
“He flew the gates and floated into a lovely position. From there, I was able to sit and wait because I knew I had the two leaders covered. When I pressed the button he quickened and held them quite comfortably.
“As a two-year-old he has actually been scratched a few times behind the gates, so he has really turned the corner and was really good today. It’s exciting because I know there is a lot of improvement there.”
Libertad was a $210,000 Inglis Ready 2 Race purchase for Annabel Neasham Racing. He was a $40,000 pinhook for Nolen Racing when consigned by Rheinwood Pastoral to the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale Highway Session.
Bred by Rheinwood in partnership, Libertad is the third winner from Electric Charge, a winning half-sister by Charge Forward to Group III winner Miss Darcey from stakes-winner Miss Bussell.
Trilogy Racing obviously has a big opinion of their undefeated charge, having shelled out $360,000 for Electric Charge from Rheinwood Pastoral at the 2023 Inglis April (Late) Online Sale when in foal to Prague. Electric Charge had a colt by the young Kia Ora stallion Prague.
Libertad is one of eight stakes-winners for Newgate Farm's high-flying Snitzel stallion Russian Revolution, which stands for $88,000 this spring.
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