Free Of Debt Breaks Through for First Stakes Success

Mark Smith - Sunday September 19

While Free Off Debt may not have lived up to the form that saw him open his career with wins at Morphettville and Flemington before a close-up third to Lyre in the 2019 Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, the son of Unencumbered brought a lump to the throat of trainer Chris Bieg following his maiden stakes success in Saturday's Listed W H Wylie Handicap (1100m) at Morphettville.

Advertisement

The 5yo gelding has now won three of his last four starts. He had a tussle with the equally honest Kemelpasa (Magnus), who had to spot the winners 6kgs before grudgingly conceding to go down by a half-length.

 Pimm's Party (Street Boss) was a length and a quarter further back in third.

 “The experience we’ve had with this horse and the ride he has taken us on has been amazing,” Bieg said.

“He’s finally won a black-type race.

“I could not be happier with him. The owner’s support has been amazing.

“With 54kgs on his back it was a bit of a tough ask to find the right rider for him. Gary (Lo) won on him last start so why not put him back on. He rode him so confidently today and I could not be happier.  

Free Of Debt winning at Flemington (image Grant Courtney)

Free of Doubt advances his record to five wins, two seconds, and a third 18 starts with earnings of $425,525, making a mockery of his $30,000 purchase price by his trainer from the Phoenix Broodmare Farm draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.

From the second of four crops left by the Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Unencumbered before his untimely death, Free Of Doubt is the best of five winners from as many to race out of the Melbourne winning Giant's Causeway mare Stagerush.

Purchased by Greta West Stud for $22,000 at the 2009 Inglis Great Southern Bloodstock Sale, Stagerush descends from the family of the top stallion Scenic (IRE) as well as the top-class performers, Slightly Dangerous, Warning and Rainbow Quest.

Stagerush died in October last year. Her final foal is a 2yo filly by Master Of Design.

Free Of Debt becomes the sixth stakes-winner for Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Unencumbered (Testa Rossa), who died in 2018.

Advertisment

Race Result - W H Wylie Hcp LR 1100m

Morphettville Track: Good(4) Time: 1:04.27
1
Free Of Debt
- 5g Unencumbered (AUS) x Stagerush (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: Chris Bieg Rdr: Gary Lo 54
2
0.5
Kemalpasa
- 6g Magnus (AUS) x Yarra Bank (AUS) (Bianconi (USA))
Tnr: R & C Jolly Rdr: Jake Toeroek 62
Magnus
3
2.0
Pimm's Party
- 4m Street Boss (USA) x Champagne Jane (AUS) (Starcraft (NZ))
Tnr: L Macdonald & A Gluyas Rdr: Teagan Voorham 54
Inglis Premier Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Mill Park Stud, Meningie, SA
Buyer: Withdrawn
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Mill Park Stud, Meningie, SA (As Agent)
Buyer: Withdrawn
4
2.2
Street Tough
- 7g Tough Speed (USA) x Butter Street (AUS) (Secret Savings (USA))
Tnr: Scott Brunton Rdr: Todd Pannell 55
5
2.3
Terbium
- 6g Terango (AUS) x Serene Lass (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: P Stokes Rdr: Kayla Crowther 54
6
2.4
Morvada
- 8g Mossman (AUS) x Carnegie Minstrel (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: P W Jolly Rdr: K H Zechner 57
7
2.5
Diamonds
- 4m Rich Enuff (AUS) x Balsamico (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Chris Bieg Rdr: Anna Jordsjo 54
8
3.2
Parlophone
- 4m I Am Invincible (AUS) x Roulettes (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Jessica Eaton 54
9
3.3
Bold Star
- 6g Needs Further (AUS) x Alzahra Star (AUS) (Danewin (AUS))
Tnr: G Richards & D Moyle Rdr: J Holder 55.5
10
4.1
Lakhani Rose
- 6m Dalakhani (IRE) x Saturday Rose (AUS) (Blevic (AUS))
Tnr: D R Jolly Rdr: Sophie Logan 54
More Reading...
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
Blue Gum Farm Welcome First Foal of the Season
Victorian nursery Blue Gum Farm announced on Monday the arrival of their first foal of the season and there is no mistaking the sire of this gorgeous filly.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.