Progressive Rubick gelding Freedom Rally just missed a start in the Group I BRC Stradbroke Handicap, but gained a nice consolation at Eagle Farm on Saturday when taking out the Listed BRC The Wayne Wilson (1600m) as a short priced favourite.
Trained by Tony Gollan and ridden by James McDonald, Freedom Rally has worked rapidly through his grades over the last 12 months and with stakes placings at his last two starts had his hoof on the till for a Black Type success.
Given a perfect ride by McDonald, he travelled into the race at the right time and surged between runners to win by three-quarters of a length in course record time clocking a slick 1:33.95 for the 1600m.
“He sustained a long run and had to dig deep, but got the job done,” said James McDonald.
A homebred for Grandlodge Thoroughbreds, Freedom Rally has the overall record of seven wins and four placings from 15 starts with earnings topping $530,000.
He is the best of two winners from Group I placed Niello mare Ipioga, a half-sister to stakes-winner Honest Politician and to the dams of Group III winner Kemalpasa and stakes-winner Yourein with most of the family proving effective up to 2000m.
Ipioga had a colt by Puissance de Lune (IRE) last year and is now in foal to a son of Rubick in Everest winner Yes Yes Yes so will produce a three-quarter sibling to Freedom Rally this spring.
Freedom Rally is the 13th stakes-winner for Swettenham Stud’s Rubick, who stands at a fee of $27,500.
