Anthony and Sam Freedman are hoping the decision to leave G2 Silver Shadow Stakes winner Ameena in Sydney will pay off on Saturday, even if relative Michael Freedman is their biggest concern in the G2 Furious Stakes.

The Pinecliff-based training partnership have not yet ruled out a run at The Valley, but after a strong showing in Sydney on Tuesday to lure James McDonald, they have decided to give Michael Freedman’s G1 winner Manaal another go.

Ameena, who is priced at $5, beat winner Sires Produce in her last start, who is priced at $2.50 with Sportsbet to turn the tables.

“Of course she’s in a class of her own, she had a penalty at the beginning and now we’re facing her at the same weight, so she definitely has a lot of advantages,” Sam Freedman said of Manaal.

“The advantage was small and she has a 2.5kg difference in weight and has a number of points and ratings to her name.

“But I wouldn’t trade them anyway – at least if we get beaten up, it’ll stay in the family.”

Ameena races home and in due time takes the lead, winning the Silver Shadow Stakes for @FreedmanRacing! 🏆 photo:twitter.com/Px9T6DKXEd

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 24, 2024

Freedman explained that this run will help her identify likely targets for the spring, which could include the remainder of the Princess Series via the Tea Rose and Flight Stakes – or a return to Melbourne for the Sprints or Thousand Guineas options.

He said J-Mac would likely spare his mount from a sharp turn of the foot at the ninth barrier, given that many of the competitors showed great speed early in the race.

Despite spending much of the autumn and winter preparing up north, Freedman said she was still open to improving her Sydney leg.

“I think he had the whole of Sydney at his disposal and he wanted to stick with it,” Freedman joked of McDonald’s choices.

“Percy Sykes rode it and noticed the improvement in preparation.

“She’s definitely growing, but she’s still a little out of it, and we probably haven’t gotten to the bottom of it yet.

“She’s still a bit inexperienced in that direction, and it took her a while to realize she was headed toward Sydney.”

His stablemate Tropicus also remains in Sydney and is set to race in Saturday’s hottest race, the G2 Run to the Rose (1200m) at Rosehill, with Storm Boy, Bustling, Switzerland and Linebacker expected to take his place.

Freedman said that in Victoria, Damian Lane and Jamie Kah will partner Lloyd Williams’ pair of Point King and Post Impressionist in next Saturday’s $300,000 G2 Archer Stakes, while qualifying for the Melbourne Cup will be moved from its traditional Derby Day venue.

Arguably the most exciting contender in the stable for a spring win, G1 placeholder Royal Champion is due to have his first test of the season on September 16, ahead of a likely appearance in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup.

Cup champion and Victorian Horse of the Year winner Bez Walczyński is not expected to compete for several weeks as all options remain open for his spring campaign.