The Freedman brothers will send five of their team to Newcastle on Saturday and ultra-consistent mare Outback Diva is considered the stable's best chance.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Freedmans will also race Prime Star, Chewbacca, Sciconic and Wild Impact at the first meeting at Newcastle since Boxing Day. Outback Diva is in the 1400-metre benchmark 70 handicap and Andrew Gibbons will ride her for the first time.
"There is not much of this mare, but she is as genuine as her record indicates," trainer Michael Freedman said.
"She was her own worst enemy early on with her barrier manners, but we have rectified that problem.
"Outback Diva ran home strongly when a close second over 1350 metres at Newcastle two runs back, so I am not concerned with her first run at 1400. She likes the Newcastle track and she will go forward and be hard to beat.
"We expect Prime Star to race well in the 1200m 2YO maiden. He was off the bit chasing in a fast-run race when he flew home to just miss at Gosford last start. He would have won in another couple of strides and he will have blinkers on on Saturday. The extra 200m on the spacious track is ideal. He is nominated for the $2 million Inglis Millennium in a couple of weeks and he needs prizemoney to gain a start.
"Chewbacca cannot draw a decent barrier but is going OK and has a place chance. Sciconic has trialled OK but will improve when the races are longer, while Wild Impact is more of a stayer and will appreciate longer trips."
Former South Australian trainer Mark Minervini is in New Zealand for the Karaka Sales and while he is away the popular trainer could land his second Newcastle winner since moving east.
Miss Fialka, part-owned by Minervini, has been ultra-consistent with placings in her past four starts at Gosford, Newcastle, Scone and Port Macquarie. Irish apprentice Tom Sherry rides the mare for the first time and he claims two kilograms.
Leading Sydney trainers Chris Waller, James Cummings and Peter and Paul Snowden all have six runners at the Newcastle meeting.
Waller's best chance is Kentucky Tornado in race one, while Cummings will saddle up two outstanding chances in Anethole (race 5) and Katalin (race 7).
The Snowdens' best are Remorseless (race 3) and Warfare (race 6).