Doncaster Mile favourite Forbidden Love will be Michael and Richard Freedmans’ final runner as a training partnership.
The Doncaster Mile holds treasured memories for the Freedman family and the race is again poised to play a significant role in their lives when brothers Michael and Richard Freedman saddle-up Forbidden Love.
Along with siblings Lee and Anthony, the pair were part of the formidable Freedman brothers training team which enjoyed a halcyon period during the 1990s and 2000s.
Champion Super Impose was one of their flagship horses, famed for his feats over the Randwick mile which included setting a modern-day weight-carrying record when he lumped 59.5kg to claim his second successive Doncaster in 1991.
The four brothers eventually went their separate ways, before Michael and Richard teamed up again in Sydney three years ago.
They have enjoyed great success, highlighted by their Golden Slipper victory with Stay Inside last year, but Forbidden Love will be their last Group 1 runner as a partnership with the pair deciding it's time to again forge their own paths after this weekend.
Michael Freedman says a Doncaster win would be a fitting finale to close their chapter.
"Whether its together or on our own, I think we both would agree it's a fantastic race," Michael Freedman said.
"It's a race our family has a great history with through Super Impose many years ago, so it would be a huge thrill if it panned out that way."
Forbidden Love is a $4.80 favourite for the Doncaster Mile (1600m) and has been in superb form this autumn, relishing the wet tracks to post a trio of wins, the past two at Group 1, weight-for-age level.
She drops seven kilos to 50kg on Saturday, just half a kilo more than she carried when seventh in the corresponding race 12 months ago.
"Last year when she ran in the Doncaster with a similar weight as a three-year-old, she probably wasn't going as well and I thought she ran a terrific race," Freedman said.
"A little bit older and stronger and a bit more seasoned, and in conditions she likes, I think it sets up quite well.
"Her work (on Tuesday) morning was as good as she has worked all prep."
Randwick was a heavy 10 on Thursday following almost 160mils of rain in the past seven days, but track manager Michael Wood said the surface continued to drain well and the grass coverage was good.
The windy conditions in Sydney on Thursday were also favourable.
"It's holding up really well. It's probably on the better side of a (heavy) ten," Wood said.
"While we've got some more showers forecast between now and Saturday, this wind will help us."
