Freedman backs Wings Of Desire to soar in city debut
By Nick Berney
It’s been a perfect start to the career of one of racing’s most valuable fillies and trainer Michael Freedman is ready to send Wings Of Desire into her city debut at Kensington on Wednesday.
The three-quarter sister to world champion mare Winx has been taken along slowly by Freedman and she didn’t make her debut until 10 days before the end of last season.
Trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.Credit: Getty
She took on older horses as a two-year-old and won at Hawkesbury before again accounting for more experienced rivals at Newcastle a few weeks later.
“I waited until right to the end of the two-year-old season before she went to the races but it was great to get a two-year-old win on her CV,” Freedman said.
“Then to go straight to a 64 as she did and run good time was a good effort.
“She got very lost when she got out in front the other day, she’s still so new. When she dashed to the front the other day she stargazed.”
So it’s been over a month since Wings Of Desire made it two from two, and she’ll step out in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1400m) with Tommy Berry continuing his association in the saddle.
Freedman elected to go straight back to the races instead of trialling and he said her performance in the Benchmark 72 race will provide some answers about where she goes in the short term.
“She had a 10 day freshen-up and came in and she’s had a couple of nice gallops back here,” he said.
“We wanted to give her an opportunity in town and see where we get to from there. She’ll tell me when she needs to have a break but she certainly seems good at the moment.
“Pedigree wise, and by size and shape, the 1400m should suit but I think she will be better to have the opportunity to chase.
“I’m more excited about what we might have in the autumn with her.”
Meanwhile, Wings Of Desire’s owner John Camilleri will be one step closer to a TAB Everest start for his star mare Sunshine In Paris when she makes her long awaited return at Rosehill this Saturday.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au