Pride of Dubai mares can never be under-estimated and tough stayer Deny Knowledge (IRE) soared to new heights at Caulfield on Saturday when she led in the Group I MRC Might and Powers Stakes (2000m) and kicked away to beat hot favourite Mr Brightside by three-quarters of a length.
Offered earlier this year in the Newgate Consignment at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale as agent for Cross Park Stud, Deny Knowledge was purchased by Yulong for $500,000 and was immediately transferred from previous trainer Mick Kent Snr to Anthony and Sam Freedman.
She won the Listed Grafton Cup at her second run for her new connections back in July and was then given a short break before preparing for the spring and started her new preparation with a fifth to Buckaroo (IRE) in the Group I MRC Underwood Stakes.
Rated perfectly in front by Mark Zahra, Deny Knowledge was strong to the line and may well back up in next Saturday’s Caulfield Cup in which she has just 50kg.
“I mean, it has to be said, she arrived to us in great order from Mick Kent, she's a well-performed mare, she won a Matriarch (G2)… so we've had a very good product to work with, and sort of just tinkered with a few things in training just to get her to switch off and relax, and that' s been the key,” revealed Sam Freedman.
"You watch all her replays and you' ve got to identify their assets and their flaws. I think this asset (her speed) was probably her flaw as well, that she could get to the front and she was running through the bridle a touch. So Henry, our track rider up in Queensland, did a lot of work on her, just getting her to relax and switch off and then be able to quicken when you want her to.
"Look, we were confident in the way the track was playing for the first few races. We needed her to be prepared against all these, take advantage of that.
“I think she's classier than probably people give her credit. Her run in the Underwood was very good, she took off early and was still there fighting it out towards the finish. And look, we may back up next week if she pulls up well, maybe the frontrunner in the Caulfield Cup, yeah, why not?”
Deny Knowledge has the overall record of nine wins and eight placings from 36 starts with prizemoney topping $1.5million.
She made 26,000 euros originally at the Goffs Sportsman’s Yearling Sale and is the best of two winners from The Paris Shrug, a winning half-sister by Monsun stallion Manduro to Group I Royal Ascot Gold Cup winner Big Orange.
This is also the family of much loved perennial Melbourne Cup placegetter and Group I winner Red Cadeaux and HK Horse of the Year and Champion Middle Distance Horse Military Attack, so it’s no surprise Deny Knowledge can run a trip.
Deny Knowledge is the fifth Group I winner for Pride of Dubai, who is unbeatable value at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $22,000.
