6 hours ago
5
By Ray Hickson
July 15, 2025 — 5.03pm
He’s not quite the sleek, stealthy, horse that his name would suggest just yet but trainer Michael Freedman says it’s time to see what Ninja can do on the race track at Kensington on Wednesday.
The youngster is unbeaten in his two trials, the latest where he ran down subsequent winner Nazwah, but Freedman said he’s not yet a well-oiled machine and will learn plenty in the TAB Plate (1100m).
Ninja will debut for trainer Michael Freedman on Wednesday.Credit: Getty Images
“He’s still very much learning about things and doing a few things wrong, but he’s ready to go to the races and probably just needs to get going,” he said.
“He’s obviously shown some raw ability. I think he’s one of those horses that once he starts to put it all together can continue to improve.
“He just needs to learn to do things the right way, the only way we’re going to do that is to get him off to the races and learn his craft a bit.”
What Ninja did show in his latest trial, despite being slowly away, was a handy turn of foot as he swept home from the back.
Freedman said he’d like to think the gelding, who cost $380,000 as a yearling, can put himself in a more prominent position from a soft barrier draw.
“Around the Kenso, if he can jump cleanly you wouldn’t want to be dragging him back,″ he said.
“If he can make use of that lower draw you’d like to think he can put himself on speed somewhere.”
It’s likely Freedman will split his fillies Fairway To Heaven and I Am Gone who have accepted in the Drinkwise Plate (1100m) between Kensington and Thursday’s Happy Birthday Emily Kendall Plate (1000m) at Kembla Grange.
He said Fairway To Heaven, an impressive 4¼-length trial winner at Canterbury over three weeks ago, is more likely to kick off in town though he’ll assess both races before making a call.
“She’s a nice homebred of John Camilleri’s and I’ve been really happy with her,″ he said.
“It’s been frustrating having to scratch off wet tracks or wide draws or a combination of both.
“She’s ready to go and had three trials and been ticking over so I’m keen to get her off to the races. I’m hoping she can overcome the draw.”
Supplied by Racing NSW
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