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Apocalyptic Ignites Princess Series with Thrilling Furious Stakes Victory at Randwick

The price on Michael Freedman‘s untapped filly Apocalyptic to make a meteoric rise through the ranks this spring and win the 2025 Flight Stakes has firmed dramatically after her success in the Group 2 $300,000 Furious Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

In a dazzling display of raw talent and resilience, Apocalyptic stormed to victory in the 2025 Furious Stakes results, marking a breakout moment for trainer Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.

The filly, who had only one prior race start and was returning from a long spell due to a foot abscess, defied her inexperience and a competitive field to announce herself as a serious contender in the spring’s Princess Series.

Apocalyptic’s path to the Furious Stakes was anything but conventional. After a promising debut, she was sidelined for months with a foot abscess, forcing Freedman to take a cautious approach to her preparation. Despite the lack of race fitness and experience, Freedman opted to run her first-up in the Furious Stakes, trusting Berry’s confidence and the filly’s natural ability. That decision paid off handsomely.

“I was hoping I didn’t end up with egg on my face running a maiden,” Freedman told Sky Thoroughbred Cental post-win.

“She has been showing both Tommy and I at home quite a bit. I was just hoping she would come and put in a good performance and give me some encouragement going to the Tea Rose. Obviously to come away with a win is really special.

“I was really dejected when we had to pull up stumps in the autumn because I thought she could be our genuine Slipper contender.

“But it wasn’t to be, and it might have been a blessing in disguise because she went back out and had a really nice, long spell. There is a lot of her and she’s still furnishing.

“I’m excited about what we’ve got and what will be to come, even in the autumn.”

Jumping cleanly from the gates, Apocalyptic settled midfield in a tightly packed field. As the race unfolded, Berry bided his time, waiting for an opening. In the final 200 metres, a narrow gap appeared between runners, and Berry seized the moment. Apocalyptic surged through with a powerful burst, overtaking Tupakara and Silver Shadow Stakes winner Savvy Hallie in a blanket finish to win by a half-neck.

“I just know Michael has got a big smile on his face right now,” winning hoop Berry said.

“He kept going on all week about how we were running a maiden in a race like this. It shows what we’ve thought of her for a very long time. We thought she was our [Golden] Slipper filly, but we kept running into issue after issue with her.

“She’s come back in this preparation and knock on wood, hasn’t skipped a beat. She’s been trialling on these heavy tracks and hasn’t liked them but still trying up against some proper Group 1 horses. It’s hard not to get excited about fillies like this.”

The victory not only broke her maiden status but also positioned Apocalyptic as a leading contender for the remaining legs of the Princess Series.

Freedman confirmed she will now target the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) and the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m), with Berry noting she’ll be even stronger over longer distances.

“Today was a steppingstone towards that so hopefully she pulls up well and she’s in good form and good order and we’ll come back to the Tea Rose,” he said.

“It has been unconventional, but I’ve got a lot of faith in what I’ve seen from her at home.

“I thought she was our No. 1 seed for the Slipper. It might have been a blessing she went back out and has started to furnish now.”

Tiz Invincible (2023) was the last filly to do the Furious Stakes – Tea Rose Stakes double, while the Furious Stakes – Flight Stakes double was last completed by Speak Fondly (2015) a decade ago.

The win was described by Freedman as “special,” validating the team’s belief in her potential and setting the stage for a thrilling spring campaign.

Apocalyptic has firmed in from $13 to $5 in futures Flight Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au with nominations for the October 4 feature closing on Tuesday.

This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.

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