Despite not having secured a victory since last year’s Group 1 Flight Stakes, trainer Michael Freedman holds a positive outlook for Apocalyptic’s chances this Saturday.
The four-year-old mare, by Extreme Choice, will contest the Group 2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill over 1400 metres, marking her first attempt at the distance this campaign.
This $300,000 event represents Apocalyptic’s third start this preparation, following a respectable third in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m) and a fifth in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) on September 12.
In the Sheraco Stakes, Apocalyptic’s lowest finishing position, she exhibited ungenerous tendencies in the home straight, not doing herself or jockey Tommy Berry any favours. Freedman is hopeful that recent physiotherapy sessions and the addition of a tongue tie will help her regain peak form.
“She just wanted to hang in the straight a bit, which cost Tommy being able to actually ride her out properly,” Freedman commented on the Sheraco Stakes performance. “So, we’ve done a little bit of work with the physio and we’ll probably try her in a slightly different bit. It was just a bit frustrating that she really only straightened up the last 50 or 100 metres and she really hit the line strongly.”
“Hopefully, if we can prevent her doing that again on Saturday, we can see the real her. But she seems to be going as well as she was 12 months ago and I think the 1400 is probably a better tempo for her.”
Apocalyptic is aiming for her fourth career win from ten starts, with previous notable performances including a close second in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) and Group 2 victories in the Furious Stakes (1200m) and Tea Rose Stakes (1400m).
Her performance at Rosehill will guide Freedman’s decisions regarding her future targets, with the mare having a large group of enthusiastic owners through MyRacehorse.
“We’re just keeping a pretty open mind at this stage,” Freedman stated. “There are a lot of those nice mares’ races around, you’ve got The Invitation later in the spring, but we’re just taking it one run at a time at the moment.”
Apocalyptic has drawn barrier two in a field of nine, with Group 1 winner Lazzura the highest rated entrant.
For those looking to back Apocalyptic, consider exploring the latest Australian betting sites to find competitive racing odds.