Worth $500,000, the ATC Tapp Craig (1400m) run at Rosehill on Saturday is one of the controversial races billed as being Black Type by Racing NSW, but unrecognized by various international industry bodies and the winner this year is well related I Am Invincible colt Ohope, who carries the colours of Godolphin.
Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Ohope powered clear to win by nearly two lengths over the race favourite Farnicle.
Competitive in midweek Benchmark races, Ohope took a big step forward with this win and ran the 1400m out strongly to take his overall record to two wins and three placings from seven starts with prizemoney topping $343,000.
“He's a lovely colt, you know. I've obviously been very privileged to get one, well a few from Godolphin and this his bloke was my first winner for them when he broke his maiden at Hawkesbury and I just love him,” said Michael Freedman.
"I think he's a really progressive young horse, whether we press on further this prep or not, we'll wait and see.
“He loved that solid tempo today and I think he might have a mile in him so whether that's pressing on to Melbourne for a race down there or giving him a break and looking at the Randwick Guineas or something like that but he's a horse with a good future."
A homebred for Godolphin, Ohope is the second foal and first winner for Group III winning Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare Pohutukawa, a grand-daughter of blue hen Chiara, the dam of Group winners Chinchilla Rose, Ferocity and Leone Chiara, the dam of Champion 3YO Colt and dual Group I winner Star Witness.
Pohutukawa has a yearling colt by Street Boss (USA), but missed last spring so will have no foal this year.
