Freedman finds star in Flight Stakes heroine

Michael Freedman has handled plenty of top-tier horses, but none have stirred his excitement like Apocalyptic, who confirmed her status as Sydney’s standout filly with a dominant victory in Saturday’s Flight Stakes at Randwick.

The rising star added the race to her earlier Princess Series triumphs in the Furious Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) and Tea Rose Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m).

Ridden by Tommy Berry, the $1.65 favourite overcame an awkward draw to settle second and took control in the straight, surging clear for a 1.2 lengths win over Group 2 winner Within The Law (Lucky Vega) ($6), with Karinska (Spirit Of Boom) ($26) another 0.2 lengths away in third.

Freedman said the positive ride hadn’t been the original plan but praised Berry’s decision-making: “We didn’t necessarily want to be up as close as we were, but when Tommy looked like being caught three-wide without cover, sitting up at the leader’s girth became Plan B. Great turn of foot. Great filly.”

Freedman will monitor how Apocalyptic comes through the run before locking in her next target, with Melbourne options such as the Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) or Empire Rose Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) both under consideration.

“I haven’t been [this excited before],” Freedman said. “It’s quite rare to see a horse come out in her first four starts – she was unlucky first-up – and then go Group 2, Group 2, Group 1. It’s pretty rare air. She’s a special filly. I’m a bit lost for words. You spend a lot of time trying to find horses like this and the world is her oyster.”