Richard and Will Freedman don’t mind travelling horses for the right race and they unleashed a talented two year-old Zousain colt at Muswellbrook on Tuesday.
Zocketman had two trials in Sydney last month and won both of them and was able to take that good form to raceday when dashing home to win the 1000m juvenile contest by nearly two lengths.
Winning rider Braith Nock had to make some good decisions as Zocketman as he drew the outside in the field of nine, which is never ideal over 1000m.
“I just sort of let him be early. We just wanted him to sort of learn a bit, so we just looked for a bit of cover, but it didn't look like we were going to be getting any unless we were back last,” said Nock.
“Once we got to the rail, we were able to get a few suck runs and obviously he was going good enough to put himself there in the end.
“He travelled up really good, a was a little bit green off the bridle, but it was probably only his second or third time doing that, so it was a really good effort. I think he's got a bit of talent.”
Co-trainer Will Freedman was worried about Zocketman and his colty tendencies, but a road trip away and a good result has allayed those fears.
“My query today was about what was between his legs, to be fair. He can be a bit coltish, but he handled it well today,” Freedman said.
“I think at this point in time with his level of experience, he needs something to chase and I thought Braith rode him very well in that sense
“It would have been easy to press forward, but he found the right gaps and gave him something for him to focus on.”
An $80,000 Inglis Classic purchase from Widden Stud for the late Sam Kavanagh / Still Point Equine, Zocketman is the fourth winner from five foals to race from Group III winning Sebring mare Thurlow, a sister to stakes-winner Three Kings from stakes-winner Princess Emmy.
Thurlow had another filly by Zousain last spring and is now in foal to Dirty Work.
Standing at Widden NSW this spring at a fee of $27,500, Zousain has had a winning run of late with five winners since the start of this month.
