Trainer Michael Freedman is hopeful Aerodrome can follow in the footsteps of past horses who’ve launched their careers at Hawkesbury’s Clarendon Stakes.

The colt, by Ole Kirk, impressed on debut earlier this month, defeating Saturday city placegetter Hidden Motive by nearly five lengths in a 1200m race at Warwick Farm.

Freedman, fresh off a Golden Slipper win with Marhoona, rates Aerodrome highly and is aiming for a strong showing in the Clarendon Stakes (1400m) next Saturday. If successful, he could target winter carnival races in Queensland.

“I thought his first-up effort was terrific and he has improved off the back of that,” Freedman said.

“He will head to the Clarendon at Hawkesbury and if he can put in a good performance there, he will earn himself a trip to Queensland for something.”

Freedman is optimistic about Aerodrome’s chances in the Clarendon Stakes with the goal of progressing to races like the Sires’ Produce and J J Atkins Stakes.

Not offering black-type status, the Clarendon Stakes is an ideal opportunity for emerging two-year-olds to showcase their talent. Previous winners include Zoustar, Graff, and Zardozi, with the