Freud triumphs in Ardlethan Cup ahead of Tullibigeal test
For the second time in three years, Michael Travers has won the Ardlethan Cup, with Freud proving to be a class above his rivals on Saturday.
After Dancing In The Sky (Seb Galea) won the feature race in 2024 for Travers, the Wagga trainer knew what was needed to win another Ardlethan Picnic Cup and his 24th race of the 2025/26 season.
Starting Freud, who boasts a strong finish and recent TAB form, Dylan Parrott was in the saddle, and the 5YO So You Think gelding raced at the rear of the field before running over the top of his rivals.
“It was a good effort,” Travers said.
“It was run a bit slow, and he generally needs the speed on so he can get home over the top of them, so for him to win the way he did was encouraging.”
A $4,750 purchase via the Inglis Digital Online Sale in October, Freud has been a good earner for connections, winning almost $30,000 after his victory at Gundagai in January and Saturday’s eye-catching win at Ardlethan.
“Everyone is well in front now, which is great and what we want when we buy these cheaper horses,” Travers said.
Freud will be on the quick back-up at Tullibigeal on Saturday, where he will have Parrott in the saddle again, with the pair expected to be one of the major players in the Tullibigeal Picnic Cup (1600m).
Still, Travers admitted it will be a tougher task than expected, given his racing style and the tighter Tullibigeal racecourse.
“We’ll do very little with him as it’s a quick turnaround, but he will have to be on his toes,” Travers said.
“It’s a more leader-biased and tight turning track, so he will have to be well and truly on his game as the big track at Ardlethan definitely helped him.”
Travers said a good result at Tullibigeal with Freud would have him considering a Picnic Championships tilt, with the $50,000 final at Dubbo later this year a major drawcard.
“Once you dip your toe in the water, you may as well keep going, and he’s suited to that type of racing, so it’s a nice bonus to have him potentially going toward a $50,000 race,” Travers said.
Also heading to Tullibigeal on Saturday will be last-start placegetter, Girl Scout, which was first-up for Travers when finishing third, beaten a long neck in the 1200m Maiden Plate.
Leandro Ribeiro will remain in the saddle, and connections will be confident of another strong showing on Saturday.
“It was an encouraging debut,” Travers said.
“We learned a little bit about her; we hadn’t done a great deal with her, but now we can smooth out the edges and have her right for Tullibigeal.”
Words/Image: Jeff Hanson
