Hackett quickly in the swim
Olympic gold medallist Grant Hackett made a spectacular entry into racehorse ownership at Sandown when the aptly-named two-year-old Freestyle impressed with a winning debut in the $75,000 Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m).
The dual Olympic 1500-metre swimming champion looks set for many more exciting times with the well-bred sprinting filly who he races with three syndicates, including John Messara’s Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd Syndicate.
Trainer Phillip Stokes spoke to Messara immediately after the win and confirmed that the $400,000 Adelaide Magic Millions (1200m) at Morphettville on February 23 was her medium-term mission.
She will also target the $40,000 Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes (1000m) at Victoria Park on January 22.
Bred by Arrowfield Stud, Freestyle, by 1988 Oakleigh Plate winner Snippets, is the first foal from dual stakeswinning sprinter Stella Artois and was passed in at $145,000 at this year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Ridden by Luke Nolen, she lived up to a quick trial win eight days ago at Morphettville by leading all the way to score by a length from Simply Rossa with Redoute’s Choice debutant Owzat fading off the pace to finish two lengths away third.
Freestyle was Stokes’ second Merson Cooper Stakes winner after he landed the race last year with Lunaspur.
Stokes wasn’t at Sandown but gave Freestyle a strong winning chance after she broke 46 seconds when winning her 800-metre trial at Morphettville.
“She was the right horse at the right time for this whereas last year we set Lunaspur for the race,” said Stokes who was in Adelaide.
“Her trial was great and she ran a top time so we thought she could win.”
Stokes said that Freestyle was also paid up for the $1 million Gold Coast Magic Millions (1200m) on January 8 but ruled it out as “geographically challenging” to win from Adelaide.
Nolen likened Freestyle’s high speed to her dam Stella Artois who he rode twice five years five years ago for a second at Caulfield and fourth at Moonee Valley.
“She is just like her mum,” he said.
Stella Artois raced 19 times for seven wins, including victories in the Quezette Stakes and Cockram Stakes.
Freestyle ran a class record 57.5 seconds after increasing her lead with a brilliant burst at the top of the straight.
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