Freedman out to get Pallaton back on track for spring

Trainer Michael Freedman is going back to the drawing board with talented colt Pallaton at Warwick Farm today looking to get his spring on the right track.

On the back of two impressive trial wins, the three-year-old started favourite in the Rosebud when he resumed at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago, but didn’t let down to Freedman’s liking as he finished third behind Skyhook.

Jockey Tommy Berry and trainer Michael Freedman after Pallaton’s debut win in December.Credit: Getty Images

So the TAB Handicap (1000m) is seen as an opportunity by Freedman to right the ship and if successful he’d have no hesitation in returning to stakes company.

“We thought we’d bring him back a grade and hopefully give him a good day out, then onwards from there,” Freedman said. “He’s wanting to do a few things wrong at the moment.

“The other day in a relatively slowly run Rosebud he got up on the bridle and over-travelled. I’ve brought him back to 1000m so we can try and get him doing things more the right way where he’s giving himself a chance to relax a bit.

“He has a really good turn of foot so when he over travels he blunts that acceleration he’s got.”

Pallaton carries 58kg against older horses at Warwick Farm. Freedman said a race like the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) on September 27 would be a suitable target for Pallaton if he does everything right.

Lightly raced filly Just A Journey will likely have the bar set on the lower side for her spring preparation which will kick off in the Schweppes Handicap (1400m).

“We didn’t have any set plans for her over the spring, just see how she comes back and pick our way through some of the more staying type races,” Freedman said.

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“We’re expecting she will appreciate getting out over a bit further but if she can finish in the top four that would very much be a pass park.”

Just A Journey led all the way in her two wins in the autumn over 1400m and was exposed to stakes racing before a spell when she ran fifth in The Phoenix in Brisbane.

“That’s the style she likes to race, it’s a bit typical of a lot of the Justifys, I don’t think we will be changing that too much,” he said.

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