Spirit of Gaylard recorded his second career victory winning the Listed TAB Trophy at only his 4th career start. After catching the eye in the Group 2 Drummond Golf Vase 10 days prior, Freedman elected to target the TAB Trophy with the promising colt after missing a run in the Group 1 VRC Derby. Spirit of Gaylard delivered in style, travelling strongly and putting away the 14-horse field in a matter of strides, sustaining a strong gallop down the famous Flemington straight.
Spirit of Gaylard’s victory was Freedman’s 200th career winner and what better way to reach the milestone, a stakes winner on Melbourne Cup Day in front of a crowd of 10,000 patrons.
Freedman is excited to see what the future holds for Spirit of Gaylard, explaining post-race “he’s a really nice horse who is going to make a nice stayer in time.” With an eye to the autumn, Freedman believes the colt is still “a baby and has a lot to learn” but is certainly a horse to follow. The victory was one to saviour for jockey Jordan Childs, who worked closely with Rob Gaylard, in whom the horse is named. “When I was an apprentice he taught us a lot through the apprentice school and I feel very honoured.”
It was fitting that a son of Puissance De Lune, a champion racehorse and promising sire, who is synonymous with the stable delivered Freedman his 200th winner. Spirit of Gaylard is Puissance De Lune’s third stakes winner and Freedman has trained two of the three stakes winners, an impressive feat.
Congratulations to all connections of Spirit of Gaylard, may he continue to honour Rob Gaylard and be an inspiration within the racing community.
Please also join us in celebrating Mitch Freedman’s 200th career winner and continue to follow the exciting progress of one of Victoria’s best young trainers.
