Anthony & Sam Freedman have sprung somewhat of a surprise in the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes with Deny Knowledge, who has led every step of the way in the 2000m contest to defeat the odds-on favourite Mr Brightside.
Mark Zahra would have been out of his comfort zone when adopting Pride Of Jenni-like tactics, as he shot out to a big lead halfway through the contest, leaving Mr Brightside, Jennilala and Coco Sun with a massive task to run her down in the final 600m.
Deny Knowledge turned into the home straight with a four-length lead as Mr Brightside and Atishu started to make their runs, but the leader didn’t look like stopping.
The two favourites with horse racing bookmakers struggled to pick up the tearaway leader in the final 200m, and with Zahra getting everything out of Deny Knowledge, she held off all challengers and claimed an impressive victory by just under a length.
2024 Might And Power Stakes replay – Deny Knowledge
Sam Freedman was on course to speak about the victory post-race.
“She was tardy at the gates the other day, got a man on her tail today and he’s a great rider, he can adapt,” Freedman said.
“We actually discussed it before the race to say, this isn’t your style, you’re not this sort of rider, you’re going to have to adapt and roll along.
“Look, we were confident in the way the track was playing for the first few races. We needed her to be prepared against all these, take advantage of that.
“I think she’s classier than probably people give her credit. Her run in the Underwood was very good, she took off early and was still there fighting it out towards the finish.
“And look, we may back up next week if she pulls up well, maybe the frontrunner in the Caulfield Cup, yeah, why not?
“I think Caulfield Cup maybe slightly more likely (than Cox Plate).
“Who knows, she’s relaxing well enough, she might have a crack at a Melbourne Cup, it looks like she may be getting tired on the line, but she’ll sustain that same gallop for a very long time.”
Mark Zahra spoke after the win.
“That was the plan, that was the only chance,” Zahra said of the tactics.
“You know, she actually jumped well today and I was able to get there and she wasn’t overdoing it, she was just happy and I just wanted to have her 1,000, 800 (metres), just slowly pick up and pretty much want her flat out coming around the bend.
“When we straightened up and I gave her one, she responded well and Mr Brightside, he’s probably sick of chasing these tearaway front runners, but I thought around Caulfield he might be a bit susceptible over 2000 (metres).
“The track’ s obviously a bit leaderish today, but the all-credit to her, it was a good win.
“Anthony and Sam and the staff have done a great job getting her right, you know, she seems to cruise along a bit nicer in front now and Yulong bought her and they’re getting repaid, so well done to everyone.”
Deny Knowledge is a $21 chance in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup futures markets.
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