After contesting some of Victoria’s top-class 3yo fillies races in the Spring, Freedman opted to capitalise on Vagrant’s low rating and her class prevailed at Bendigo on April 11.
Vagrant had an incredible first campaign, winning on debut as a 2yo against the older horses at the Swan Hill carnival before going on to be stakes placed in Adelaide and continuing deep into the Spring, beaten only 3lengths in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes. Freedman felt his talented filly had plenty of improvement to come, opting to give her a break instead of pushing onto the Group 1 Thousand Guineas. He was right, she come back a stronger, more complete horse.
Vagrant was a ‘good thing beaten’ at Geelong on her resumption, drawing a wide gate and forced to go back on a day that was difficult to make ground, yet luck was on her side at Bendigo. Declan Bates who has partnered Vagrant commented post-race “She’s better than this level, and she will be better up in grade and down in the weights.” Freedman now turns his attention to some restricted 3yo metropolitan racing where Vagrant will likely head next. Now full of confidence, let’s hope she can build a really strong campaign.
There are some exciting races coming up for Vagrant over the remainder of the Autumn and into the winter months, with targets such as the Leilani & Silver Bowl series coming up. We will see her at the races again towards the end of the month and are excited to see how she goes back in metropolitan company.
