Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained son of Super Seth has recently been gelded after showing raw ability but wayward tendencies at his first two starts as a colt, including a third placing behind stakes performer Express Call and subsequent Group Three winner Ferivia at Sandown on July 30.
“If you could have scratched a horse for behavioural issues before a race, he would have been a prime candidate,” Sam Freedman said.
“Before his second start at Sandown, he was a real handful out the back in the tie-ups. So we gelded him. He ran on a Wednesday and was gelded on Thursday, and he was under saddle by Saturday.
“To the vet's credit, Tom and all his staff, it has been a quick turnaround, probably the quickest we have had from being gelded to back to the races.”
Street Artist was a well-supported $1.55 favourite off the back of an impressive jumpout and the rare booking of Mark Zahra at a Friday meeting was also a key indicator of confidence in the camp.
“We have a pretty high opinion of him, he has always shown a lot of ability, and it was nice to see him produce,” Freedman said.
“You don’t get Mark (Zahra) down the highway very often, so it was nice to get him down here to ride him.”
Bred by Waikato Stud, Street Artist is by resident sire Super Seth, whom the Freedman’s trained to a stunning Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) win, coming from the clouds to defeat Alligator Blood.
Out of Pink Graffiti, a half-sister to Group One winners Vision And Power and Glamour Puss, Street Artist was a $475,000 yearling purchase by Freedman and is raced by a syndicate headed by Yulong, which also includes Waikato Stud and a host of prominent names.
“He was a beautiful type, he looked like a sharper type of Super Seth. He was probably Anthony’s (Freedman) pick of the sale,” Freedman said.
“He and Tentyris (Blue Diamond runner up and Todman Stakes winner) have been the two we have ear-marked the whole way through. One had the brain for it as a colt and the other one didn’t but we hold this horse in high regard. We will plot a path through the spring and find a nice race for him.”
Street Artist holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) on September 27. – NZ Racing Desk
