Freedman tipping speedy Insurrection to thrive on short courses

Trainer Michael Freedman plans to keep consistent three-year-old Insurrection in his comfort zone through his winter campaign, and he hopes it can start in positive fashion at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

The gelding has started five times at 1200m in his 12 starts and while he’s managed three placings the trainer feels he can be better placed below that distance to take advantage of his speed rather than asking him to stretch his limits.

“He’s a good fast horse, I think we will just keep him to those shorter course distances,” Freedman said.

“He ran a terrific race up the straight six [in the Inglis Sprint] and ran into a pretty smart one.

“That was probably the day I felt maybe it’s best to keep him to 1000m or 1100m where he can use his biggest asset which is his speed.

“He came back and ran at Rosehill and was probably over the top, so he’s had a nice little break.”

That last run was in the Listed Darby Munro, won by Opal Ridge, and he started a $9 chance on the back of a third behind Benedetta and Paris Dior at Flemington.

Freedman said The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1000m) is an ideal starting point for Insurrection and an opportunity to make use of his apprentice Jasper Franklin’s 3kg claim having partnered the horse in a sharp trial win two weeks ago.

“He’s a genuine horse and he’d be one that hopefully can race through the winter months and the early part of the spring,” he said.