Queensland sojourn on the radar for Aerodrome
The Michael Freedman-trained Aerodrome (Ole Kirk) is set to head on a Brisbane winter carnival raid after he doubled his unbeaten tally in Saturday’s Clarendon Stakes (1400m) at Hawkesbury.
Ridden by Regan Bayliss and aiming to follow up his debut 1200-metre maiden success, the gelded son of Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) had no problems with the Heavy 8 underfoot conditions and defeated Hereward (Saxon Warrior) by 0.8 lengths with a further 0.7 lengths back to Zebra Finch (Exceed And Excel) in third.
“He did a few things even better today than what he did the other day. He went a lot straighter and also showed that good will to win like he did first-up,” said Bayliss, who also rode the juvenile for his debut win.
“He’s a lovely horse. He is just going to keep improving and I think the more runs we get into him and the more he steps up in trip, he is going to keep getting better and better.
“I’m not sure if the heavy ground was to his liking today being such a big striding horse, but he found a way to get the job done and he’s got a bright future.”
Freedman confirmed that Aerodrome would be prepared for targets such as the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 31 and the 1 J J Atkins (Gr 1, 1600m) in June.
“I will see how he pulls up but all going well we will look at Brisbane now for the Aerodrome,” Freedman said.
“There’s a month to the Sires’ but he won’t need to race again, although if he needs it I might give him a barrier trial.”
Bred by Gilgai, who are also the breeders of this season’s Champion two-year-old contender Nepotism, winner of the Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) and Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m) winning filly O’ Ole, Aerodrome was bought by Nine9park for $190,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Aerodrome is out of Group 3-winning mare She Shao Fly (Epaulette).