Often used as a lead in run to next Saturday’s $1m G1 ATC Australasian Oaks (2400m), Michael Freedman looks to have an outstanding contender in Farnan filly Profoundly who pulled clear to win the $250,000 G3 ATC Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) by more than two lengths on Saturday at Randwick.
Coming off a narrow last start third in the G3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) behind fellow Adrian Knox runner Feminino (NZ), Tommy Berry jumped Profoundly away well, going forward to settle in a mid-filed position while those from the outside barriers travelled to the lead.
Zac Lloyd took the Tom Charlton trained So D’oro to the front with Feminino following in second while the Chris Waller-trained race favourite Soverato (NZ) sitting on the outside of Profoundly four pairs back.
As Feminino and Spicy Lu took the lead off the tiring So D’oro in the home straight, James McDonald aboard Soverato was coming down the outside while Profoundly had come off the rail to follow the favourite.
Just as Soverato took the lead and it looked as if she would take the prize, Berry asked Profoundly for an effort, and she flew past, extending like the 2400m of the Oaks would not pose any issues should connections decide to head that way.
“She ran that out pretty solidly today,” said trainer Michael Freedmand post-race. “We thought after Kembla, based on her staying ability and talent that this was the logical option.”
“Brother Lee being one of the co-owners, he’s been on the phone to me all week and provided me with some pieces of advice, which has been great.”
“It’s pretty special with him in the ownership, but also to be racing in our colours. He’s not bad for 70 and we’ll be back here in seven days’ time.”
Berry was confident going into the race based off her Kembla grange run last time out.
“She always hits a little bit of a flat spot, she did that at Kembla as well and it’s wasn't until the last 150m, where she picked herself up and got motoring.”
“I just knew she would lap up the 2000m, she worked well on a wet track at home.”
“Everyone would have thought her trial was only plain the other today, but she didn’t have her blinkers on and she never works any good without the blinkers either.”
“We only really know what she's got on raceday. Great to do it with Lee as well, he’s brought this filly up and has always had a great opinion of her.
“She was just immature last prep, but with a bit of Michael’s polish as well, they’ve done well together.”
Taking her overall record to three wins and four placed efforts from 10 starts and $147,200, the valuable black type win for the Mrs A Caldwell-bred filly will surely not be her last.
Purchased by DLF Racing Services for $65,000 from the Sledmere Stud draft at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Profoundly joins G3 MRC Chairman’s Stakes winner Sebonack as one of two stakes winners from five to the races for the Al Samer mare Profound Wisdom, herself a half-sister to I Am Invincible stakes-producing sire son Santos.
From the extended family of G1 Epsom Handicap winner Fat Al and the G2-winning sisters Fatoon and Adeewin, Profoundly is one of ten stakes performers for Kia Ora Stud’s Farnan, who could secure an elusive G1 winner in a week’s time when Profoundly backs up into the G1 ATC Australian Oaks.
