Nearing Liberty
Nearing Liberty takes out the last race at Sandown today, giving Matthew Brown racing a his first win for the season, Matthew has been very successful in this race over the past years winning this race 5 times with Firstclass Dreamer wining twice along with He's the Real Deal, Swindon Lass and now the big fella Nearing Liberty, winning today, this is a great stat for the MBR team for the 25/26 racing season.
Brown's Caulfield trio
Young trainer Matthew Brown is confident a more suitably run race can see filly She's Pretty Rich continue a good run of form at Caulfield on Saturday.
Fourth last week in the Leilani Series Final (1400m) at Flemington, having been in the placings at each of her three starts prior to that, the Written Tycoon filly has been a model of consistency.
"Things probably didn't go right for her last week, it was a race that lacked a bit of tempo," Brown said.
"She got back and probably just over-raced a little bit … she probably just peaked a little bit on her run. She's definitely good to go again on Saturday.
"It's nice to get back to the three-year-old fillies on Saturday, she's been racing the mares the last couple and she's held her own, she definitely deserves one, so hopefully we can get it on Saturday."
He's The Real Deel will also resume at Caulfield for Brown, having most recently raced last December.
"He trialed nicely on very Heavy ground," Brown said.
"We think he's going really nicely, he might need the run first-up still - he's pretty big but off his trackwork and trials he's coming to hand nicely."
Prix De Turn has accepted but may not take his place after a tricky barrier draw saw him come up with gate 16.
"It makes it difficult, he's already giving the majority of the field a lot of weight so when he's drawn wide, it certainly does make it a task," Brown said.
"There's not a lot around for him in saying that. We might even trial Monday and maybe head up to Randwick, there's an 1800-metre (race) up there the following Saturday.
"He pulled up a little bit ordinary to be honest, just general soreness … it was probably the first time he's had a red-hot crack in a while."
Brown scores HQ Exclusive
Matthew Brown has finally claimed his first Flemington winner after 11 previous placings, as eight-year-old Mr Exclusive turned back the clock down the straight under Jaylah Kennedy.
The son of Magnus finished eighth and ninth in his first two starts this campaign, hence his $43 quote on Saturday, but had not been beaten far in either effort, albeit in lower grades.
All eyes were on the unbeaten Baraqiel ($3.30) and Legio Ten ($3.70), who fought out their respective last starts and were expected to do so again, but as the field sprinted, the favoured pair struggled to get past leader Home Rule ($26).
That horse gave a big kick and looked home, but Mr Exclusive was coming at a rate of knots down the outside, relishing the drop back in trip and weight to fight through traffic and have the last crack.
It was the gelding’s first victory since April 2021, taking his prizemoney over the $500,000 mark, and Brown’s first win at Headquarters from 69 attempts.
Brown was thrilled to see the enigmatic galloper back to his best and felt that the soft ground was the key factor third-up.
“I was quietly confident – it’s funny, you look at his record, and it’s funny, he’s run well on firm ground but he’s just a deadset wet tracker,” he said.
“For no reason, he’s just never found a heavy track. We’ve been praying for rain, and to find the right race for him. Obviously, he got in really well-weighted today.
“We knew he was in need of the run last start, so I told Tommy (Prebble) to look after him and treat it like a trial.
“But back in trip today, blinkers on… we were just praying for rain, and we knew he was a good chance.
“There’s been a few talks about retirement, but I’ve said no way – he still wants to be here. It’s obviously all worthwhile now.”
The win was Kennedy’s second of the day, after she gave Anthony and Sam Freedman’s Arqana a brilliant ride to claim the Rising Stars Final earlier on.
ACCEPTANCES
NOMINATIONS
RESULTS
©2024