NEWSLETTER

There were a few nervous moments for the punters and followers of Mitch Freedman’s but Ruggiero’s class prevailed at Donald on Sunday.

Returning a gelding this preparation, Ruggiero caught the eye of many on at Warracknabeal, narrowly beaten by Valiancy, who was sent around at $1.40 and had city class form. Improving with fitness and stepping out in distance, the 4yo&up maiden at Donald looked to be the perfect race.
Ruggiero was settled in the second half off the field and as the tempo came out of the race, found himself in an awkward position towards the rear of the field. Upon straightening, Ruggiero had a wall of horses to get past, but a calm steer by Tahlia Hope navigated a path and his will to win has to be seen to be believed.

After ducking and weaving throughout the straight, Tahlia Hope commented post race “the horse was really there when I needed him” as he stretched for a narrow 0.2length victory.
A relieved Mitch Freedman laughed post-race he too was “sharing the nerves of the punters” but was proud of the way his horse found the line. “He was a $10,000 yearling purchase that has taken his time to furnish, always showing good ability and its pleasing to see him put it all together.”

Hang On Harvey was an impressive winner on debut at Echuca on November 1 over 1400m. Hang On Harvey is a 3yo Freedman has really liked from first laying eyes on him following the Gold Coast National Yearling Sale.

Hang On Harvey was bought from a Phil Cataldo shortlist and inspected entirely online by Mitch during the pandemic. “He has shown tremendous improvement each preperation and that was on display at the first time of asking. He has a long way to go physically which should help him through the grades.”

Partnered by Jake Duffy, Hang On Harvey carried on his impressive trial form to race day, settling off the speed and finding his rhythm. When the pressure came on, Harvey showed great versatility, particularly for a first starter to navigate a path through traffic and attack the line strongly.

He looks to be a nice stayer on the rise and will continue to improve with racing and stepping out in distance. Hang On Harvey is raced in partnership with Towner Racing and new clients with the stable. This is the first winner in partnership with Towner Racing and marks an exciting time for the stable. 

As a young chap Bob, Le Marshall remembers his weekends spent at the races with his father. An avid race goer and punter, Marshall soon caught the racing bug early doors which later stemmed into training greyhounds. With 6 to 8 in training at any one time, he raced greyhounds for around 35 years.

Continuing his passion on the race track, Marshall explains, “when I got out of greyhound racing a few years ago. I talked to a colleague who breeds race horses, and I talked him into selling me a share of a horse that he had bred. And I’ve kept up with it since then”.

“At the minute I have shares in four horses, altogether I have been involved with 10 or so over the years. The first syndicate I was involved with was put together by the Ballarat Footy Club where I was working at the time, and the horse was in training with Darren Weir”.

“Following the closure of the stable, Weir recommended we have our horses trained by Mitch Freedman. Since the then I’ve invested in three or four, and now my wife and her family are also getting involved. So it’s a bit of a family affair. So far I have a share in Gusmao, Big Option, Harlem Jazz and Squamosa x Seattle Lass”.

“The experience we’ve had so far since being involved with a smaller stable has been very welcoming and personal, we’ve made some great friendships along the way as well. One thing I’ve learned over the years, is you have to have plenty of patience with race horses”.

We asked Marshall if he could win any race, what would it be. Without hesitation his answered the Melbourne Cup! Thanks for your time Bob, we really appreciate it. We wish you all the best with your future runners, we hope that a future star emerges from them.

This month we want to give a huge shout out to our stable rockstar, Diane Barnett. Without fail Diane steps up to each task, she is always happy to help where it’s needed. Having only stepped into the racing industry almost four years ago, part-time and with no experience. Diane is now full-time, with many responsibilities. Her role now includes, but is not limited to, making the feeds and distributing them to the entire stable each day. Giving the horses fresh bedding, hay and water each day. As well as washing horses down post work, handling them around the stable when and where it’s needed.

Outside of work Diane is kept busy with her two children, taking them to or from after school sports and activities. Coming up to the school holidays, they might come down to the stable to help and learn the ropes off their mum. We think there could be no better role model!

Diane you are an exceptional worker, who deserves to get employee of the month every month. You are a reliable, efficient and a dedicated team member.