Australian Cup Ideal for Our Ivanhowe

Trainer Lee Freedman was pleased with Our Ivanhowe’s competitive return a fortnight ago and is confident the talented import will be very difficult to beat in the conditions of Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington.

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Lee Freedman is thrilled with Our Ivanhowe ahead of the 2016 Australian Cup. Photo: Taron Clarke

Jumping from the gates well in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m), Our Ivanhowe took a handy position just off the pace of the race’s early leaders but was unlucky to be completely blocked for a run in the final straight and finished fifth.

Freedman conceded the Soldier Hollow entire faces a big task against the talented field confirmed for the Australian Cup but is confident his runner is more than a chance of posting his first win at the highest level since arriving in 2015.

“He sort of lived up to our expectations during the week – we thought he’d run very well in his first start at weight-for-age in this country,” Freedman told Racing Ahead of the Peter Young Stakes.

“He’s starting to get into the races now that should really suit him like the Australian Cup and The BMW.

“I don’t mind drawing barrier one in these races. Flemington is such a lovely track and gives the rider a range of options.

“I’d like a bit more rain because some of his best form has been on rain-affected tracks, but that’s in the hands of the gods.

“Bow Creek certainly is a very decent horse and won very well the other day, but I didn’t see anything in my horse’s run that didn’t suggest he could match it with him.

“I think that if he (Our Ivanhowe) got the gaps he (Bow Creek) did, albeit that he missed the start I really think we would have been as competitive as he was.”

Our Ivanhowe has been a strong and consistent performer through his entire racing career so far; posting a commendable five wins and three minors through only sixteen competitive starts.

A multiple Group 1 winner, Our Ivanhowe won each of the Group 1 Grosser Preis Von Baden (2413m) and Group 1 Pastorius (2414m) most notably in his native Germany before being transferred to the care of Lee and Anthony Freedman.

Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2016 Australian Cup odds, for which Our Ivanhowe can be taken at a quote of $5.50 for success.