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The Group 1 $1 million Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 7 looks the logical next step for the progressive Michael Freedman-trained Ninja who was excellent winning Saturday’s Hobartville Stakes 2026 for the punters at Rosehill.
The up-and-coming Farnan gelding went around favourite in a small but quality field in the Group 2 $400,000 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) and atoned for his last start second as the beaten odds-on favourite in the Gold Coast’s $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas last month.
“Good to see him come back and do that,” Freedman told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“It was obviously his biggest test, I think.
“The Magic Millions Guineas was a disappointment, but I was more interested in how he was going to measure up against the really good three-year-olds down here.
“Job done.”
Retaining his undefeated record at the Rosehill track, Ninja ($2.70F) was too good for his fellow three-year-olds in one of the Sydney feature races of the weekend in a redemption run under the steer of Tommy Berry.
Berry rode the galloper to perfection, timing his run well when allowing Shangri La Boy to take up front running and enjoying a nice cart into the race off his back.
Once at the top of the straight, Berry unleashed the well supported favourite.
From there, Ninja broke away from the pack effortlessly and drew clear for a commanding 1.43 length victory over Napoleonic who just edged out the resuming Chris Waller-trained Caulfield Guineas winner Autumn Boy in the minors.
“He’s just come back a more furnished product this time in,” Berry said.
“The worst you’ll see him is in the yard and then as soon as you get onto the track, he puts his head on his chest and gets on with his job.
“Andrew (Adkins) did an amazing job with him early, I didn’t want to ride him because he looked like too much hard work!
“I’m blessed to get on him later and I can’t wait to see where we end up.”
Freedman said he was mindful of how lightly raced his Hobartville Stakes winner remains, but that all going well, he’ll head into the 2026 Randwick Guineas next month as a winning hope over the mile.
“It’s his fourth run; I am mindful of that,” he said.
“He’s not a horse that needs a lot of punishing trackwork.
“He’s a naturally aerobic type of horse. He does things pretty comfortably.
“He had two weeks off up there at Hinterland on the water walker after he ran in the Guineas.
“Came back here and gave him a trial last Thursday.
“He trialled really nicely. He’s come a long way in the last 4 to 6 months.
“See how he pulls up. That (the Randwick Guineas) would probably be the most logical way to go.
“I’d just like to see him tomorrow, see how he’s come through today’s run.
“Wouldn’t bother me at all putting him out because he’s an exciting horse for the future.
“If he pulls up well, against his own age group, why wouldn’t you.”
Berry believes Ninja will get the 1600m but not much beyond that distance-wise looking ahead.
“I don’t know how much more is left,” he said.
“He felt like he floated the whole last furlong, so a mile – fingers crossed – doesn’t seem too far out of his realm, but I think any further than that might be.”
The latest three-year-olds to complete the Hobartville Stakes – Randwick Guineas double are Dissident (2014), Hallowed Crown (2015), Kementari (2018), The Autumn Sun (2019), and Celestial Legend (2024).
Ninja has firmed in all-in Randwick Guineas betting at Ladbrokes.com.au to be the next in from $7 to $4.60.
The Hobartville third placed Autumn Boy leads the markets at $3.50 as the co-favourite with Saturday’s ultra-impressive Angus Armanasco winning filly at Caulfield, Sheza Alibi.
Hobartville Stakes 2024 Results
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1st
7. Ninja (2)
J: Tommy Berry 56.5kg
T: Michael Freedman |
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2nd
5. Napoleonic (4)
J: Zac Lloyd 56.5kg
T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton |
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3rd
1. Autumn Boy (6)
J: James McDonald 56.5kg
T: Chris Waller |
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4th
2. Attica (7)
J: Adam Hyeronimus 56.5kg
T: Joseph Pride |
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5th
6. Rivellino (1)
J: Jason Collett 56.5kg
T: Kris Lees |
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6th
8. Green Spaces (3)
J: Dylan Gibbons 56.5kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
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7th
4. Shangri La Boy (5)
J: Tim Clark 56.5kg
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
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