Michael Freedman leans on experience with Mahogany to guide Tiger Of Malay for Queensland campaign

Michael Freedman remembers bringing the great Mahogany to Queensland as a two-year-old almost 30 years ago, now the trainer is looking to set Tiger Of Malay on a similar path when he kicks off in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes on Saturday.

The Freedmans have long been regarded as masters with juvenile horses and their victory with Stay Inside in the Golden Slipper earlier this year only franked that.

Freedman said a trip to Queensland can be the making of some horses, with two-year-olds often relishing the warmer weather and sunlight on their back.

“Going back in the day – when we were based in Melbourne – we had a lot of nice horses young and old go up there and run well,” he said.

“I can remember taking Mahogany up there as a two-year-old, that’s showing my age a bit.

“I think that trip away at this time of the year to Brisbane, to the warmer climate really does them good.

“Apart from going up there and trying to win some nice races, I think it is good for their future as well.”

After a whirlwind few years which saw him train in Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and Australia again, Freedman – who trains in partnership with his brother Richard – said he is finally settled in Sydney.

Michael Freedman celebrates with Tommy Berry after winning the Golden Slipper. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

“It is the first time in a while we feel very settled,” he said.

“We came back from Singapore and then we were only here for 18 months and got the invite to go to Hong Kong before coming back here after two years.”

Following his debut win in October, Tiger Of Malay has endured a nightmare run with barriers, capped off by a tough run in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce (1400m) a month ago.

Freedman is hoping the bad luck is now behind him after attempting to “freshen up” the colt with a drop back to 1200m.

“He is one that has been one of our better (two-year-old’s) right from the get go, he just hasn’t had much luck with barriers at all,” he said.

“He drew wide first up and put in a great run, then drew wide in his second one in the Pago Pago and ran a blinder then drew outside in the Sires.”

Following their win with Alakahan in the Gold Coast Cup last Saturday, the Freedman’s will also send Love Tap (three-year-old plate) and High Supremacy (Rough Habit) to Brisbane on the weekend.

Originally published asTiger follows Mahogany path in Queensland

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