Freakofnature Impresses On Debut

Mark Smith - Wednesday February 15

The fifth two-year-old winner of the season for Snitzel looks to have a bright future after making a winning debut in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode Hcp (1300m) at Sandown-Hillside on Wednesday.

Freakofnature not for catching (image Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

The Jason Warren-trained debutant Freakofnature has race smarts that will carry him a long way.

The handsome chestnut settled beautifully just off the speed for Ethan Brown, and when asked to take a narrow gap between the tiring leaders How Dare You and Carnival Row, he did not flinch.

The son of Snitzel defeated the promising Dundeel colt Fistsoffury by a half-length, with the Zoustar filly Celestial Storm three-quarter length back in third.

Freakofnature was a $250,000 purchase for his trainer from the Westbury Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Jason Warren said he bought Freakofnature without having a buyer lined up.

"I got home and realised we did not have anyone for him, and it was a long syndication process," Warren said.

" He is all sold and came here today with a bold chance. It was pleasing to see him get the job done.

"He ran second in his official trial at Geelong when a bit soft and needed it. So we gave him another one at Mornington last week, where he beat a progressive 3yo.

"That gave us the confidence to come here today. I said to Ethan that we expect him to run well. Just ride him where he is comfortable. He is a big strong colt and will take any gap.

"I think he will be three lengths better with blinkers, so there is a bit to look forward to.

Advertisement

'He was a little fat kid at the yearling sales. When Joe Cunningham broke him in, he trimmed up nicely.

"He is an athletic colt and very exciting.

"He holds a nomination for the Blue Diamond, but we will see how he gets through today before mapping a course. I do think he will be a lovely Sires horse."

The fat kid is now a stunning colt (image Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

A brother to Group II-placed Discharged, Freakofnature is the fourth winner from five to race for the former top-class racemare No Evidence Needed.

A $130,000 yearling No Evidence Needed was a shining light for Nathan Tinkler. The daughter of Shamardal won six and placed in seven of her 23 starts with earnings of $639,755.

She won the Group II VRC Let's Elope Stakes and Group III ATC Southern Cross Stakes, and was edged out by stablemate Small Minds in the Group 1 Schweppes Oaks and fell a neck short of Response in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Gerry Harvey purchased No Evidence Needed for $720,000 at the Patinack Dispersal in 2014.  

David Ellis shelled out $525,000 for Baramul Stud's I Am Invincible colt out of Evidence Needed at the Gold Coast in January.

After foaling a Zoustar colt in November, No Evidence Needed visited Ole Kirk. 

Advertisment

Race Result - Ladbrokes Mates Mode Hcp 1300m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(4) Time: 1:17.28
1
Freakofnature
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x No Evidence Needed (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Jason Warren Rdr: Ethan Brown 58
2
0.5
Fistsoffury
- 2c Dundeel (NZ) x Star Via Strada (USA) (Street Boss (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: D Oliver 59
3
1.3
Celestial Storm
- 2f Zoustar (AUS) x Sebring Dream (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Jye McNeil 55.5
4
2.2
Apulia
- 2c Fiorente (IRE) x Giannarelli (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: Craig Williams 58
5
6.2
Miss Rubydoo
- 2f Rubick (AUS) x Aiden Sea (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Mitchell Leek Rdr: Patrick Moloney 54.5
6
7.2
Carnival Row
- 2c Trapeze Artist (AUS) x Further (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: Jamie Kah 58
7
8.0
Roguery
- 2c Into Mischief (USA) x Sweet Strike (USA) (Smart Strike (CAN))
Tnr: Lloyd Kennewell Rdr: Damian Lane 58
8
9.7
How Dare You
- 2f Zoustar (AUS) x Segue (AUS) (Ad Valorem (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: B Mc Dougall 55
More Reading...
Zoustar Filly Wander Dune Impresses On Debut In South Africa
Making her debut as favourite in the Race Coast Maiden Juvenile Plate (1200m) at Kenilworth, South Africa on Saturday, 2yo Australian-bred Zoustar filly Wander Dune impressed with an emphatic victory.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
Two New SW's for Too Darn Hot
Too Darn Hot is set to be crowned Champion Australian Second Season Sire and is headed back to Darley Australia this spring at a fee of $275,000 and overnight he produced two new stakes-winners in the UK and Ireland.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch - Belmont
Racing made a welcome return to Belmont Park yesterday and the first winner to salute on the freshly renovated track was a two year-old that started a red hot favourite and could not have been more impressive!
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.