Mumbai Muse launches late to claim Red Roses Stakes

Mumbai Muse ridden by Tommy Berry returns to the mounting yard after winning the Red Roses Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Mumbai Muse (+650) has powered over the top to secure victory in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes at Flemington on Saturday afternoon.

The Michael Freedman-trained filly has now produced back-to-back wins after scoring in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 28 and seems to be a promising three-year-old on the rise.

Tommy Berry utilized barrier 16 to perfection, dragging Mumbai Muse to the rear of the field to switch off mid-race, allowing a genuine tempo to take him into the concluding stages.

Excess (+1100) bound across the face of the field to lead alongside the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Aditi (+2200) throughout the early portion of the race, maneuvering towards the grandstand side of the course.

Both faded quickly once asked the question, while Saltaire (+500) and Appin Girl (+1800) both attacked the wire, leaving Mumbai Muse to get the last crack to score an impressive victory.

2023 Group 3 Red Roses Stakes Replay – Mumbai Muse | T: Michael Freedman | J: Tommy Berry


Michael Freedman was on course to witness the success of his Zoustar filly and was worried in the middle stages as a calm Tommy Berry restrained her to the back of the field.

“It was terrific,” said Freedman.

“I was little concerned mid-race how far back Tommy was. Normally at home she’s been up on the speed even with cover but really trucking and she just seemed to, I think, relax beautifully up there today.

“When she got to the outside I could see that she was going to feature in it somehow. I wasn’t quite sure whether she was going to get up.

“She’s had a terrific preparation. She’s mixed it with the best fillies in Sydney at her two starts this preparation. She beat the colts in the Brian Crowley and she won a really nice race today.

“She’ll go to the paddock for a bit of a break now. We’ll have a think about what we target with her.”

Tommy Berry showed confidence in his ride but was quick to joke about Freedman, maybe echoing a much different sentiment.

“Today she got into a beautiful rhythm and Michael, I reckon he would have had his hands around my neck halfway down the straight with what was I doing that far back but I just got her into a lovely rhythm,” said Berry.

“I knew she was the best horse in the race and I had to ride her like that.

“She showed that explosive turn-of-foot and I think the win the other day gave her a bit of confidence and she was too good on the day.”

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