Damien Oliver and Anthony & Sam Freedman have combined to win the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes over 1200m with Argentia proving too good down the Flemington straight.
Argentia held a nomination in the Empire Rose Stakes and the Rising Fast Stakes and the team chose to the 1200m event over 1600m event and it has paid dividends with their classy four-year-old mare winning in style.
After drifting out to $9.50 with online bookmakers, Argentia sat behind the leaders, The Astrologist and Generation, before peeling off their backs with 300m to go to win by half a length over the fast finishing Triple Missile.
Rising Fast Stakes Replay
Sam Freedman spoke post-race and it was easy to see how happy and relieved the team was to have their mare back on the winners list.
“It is definitely, yeah. She’s been a mare we’ve had a big opinion of for a very long time.”
Freedman explained that he has always held high hopes for this mare, and it is a big relief to get a big win on a big day.
“She’s now two-from-two down the straight and she’s shown a liking to it. There’s gonna be some nice races in the autumn for her, so it’s good to see her go out on a winning note.
“I think so, yeah. She loves a strong speed and I think Ollie (Damien Oliver) summed it up perfectly and was patient, and picked his was through.”
Freedman suggested that the Newmarket Handicap over 1200m in the autumn could be the next target race for Argentia after a break.
Damien Oliver won this race three times when it was over 1400m and he has now won it down the straight for the first time over 1200m.
“I probably haven’t been riding as many winners as I’d like and Johnny Camilleri has been a great supporter.”
Oliver explained why he produced the big fist pump as he went over the line on Argentia.
“It was really special to get a good win for him (Camilleri) aswell.
“I rode her at her last couple of runs at 1400 and she was going okay, but we kind of thought she was better than that.
“We thought lets bring her back to 1200 (metres) ride her quiet and down the straight and it worked out great.”
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