Following a dominant maiden victory at Kembla Grange, where he won by over 11 lengths, it was no surprise to see the Michael Freedman-trained Ninja (Farnan) start as favourite in the Bm72 3-year-old Handicap at Rosehill.
The promising colt didn't have it all his own way this time, but backed up his last-start demolition with a gutsy win, thanks to a confident and aggressive ride from Andrew Adkins, who rode him like the best horse in the race.
Crown The King (Time To Reign) made Ninja work early to find the front, before easing into a stalking position. Without Peer (Pierata) enjoyed a perfect run in the one-one, while the well-backed Fermoy (Zoustar) tracked nicely in sixth, travelling wide with cover.
Turning for home, Ninja kicked strongly and established a clear lead at the 200-metre mark. But the challengers came quickly. Crown The King dug in bravely to run third and Without Peer surged late to just miss – as the Farnan gelding held on gamely to secure a narrow victory.
Fermoy closed well from back in the field to finish fourth in an encouraging performance, beaten less than a length in a blanket finish.
Ninja winning the Bm72 at Rosehill | Image courtesy of Sportpix
"While the margin wasn't great and we certainly wouldn't want it over again, I thought there was a lot of merit in it and he's a horse with a future," trainer Michael Freedman said.
"I don't care what anybody says, even though the margin was big the other day, it's not easy going from a maiden to a Benchmark 72 in town.'"
Pedigree Information: Ninja is the fourth foal out of Impulsive (So You Think ), who was a three-time winner on the track. She is very well bred, being a half-sister to Laisserfaire (Danehill ), who was a five-time Group 1 winner in South Africa.
Other top class stakes winners in the family include A Time For Julia (Redoute's Choice), Procrastinate (Jade Hunter ), As Time Goes By (Deep Impact ), Personal (Fastnet Rock), and Almighty Girl (Beneteau).
Impulsive has produced a yearling colt by Siyouni (Fr) since leaving Ninja, and is due to foal to Anamoe in early October.
Sales Information: Ninja was purchased for $380,000 by MyRacehorse, Michael Freedman Racing, Gandharvi Pty Ltd and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) from the Segenhoe Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Million Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Article c/o TTR Aus/NZ
