By Mary-Jo Jackson
Listen
Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice) confirmed herself a serious filly at Randwick on Saturday when she ran away with the Tea Rose Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m).
It was the second victory of the Princess Series for the daughter of Newgate Farm’s Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt) having landed the Furious Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) in thrilling style on September 6 – just her second start after a runner-up finish on debut last December, with a foot abscess ruling her out of the autumn.
Despite travelling in a less-than-ideal position from barrier eight on Saturday – with her and jockey Tommy Berry forced to sit three-wide for the majority of the 1400-metre contest – the Michael Freedman-trained filly showed professionalism beyond her experience to relax and kick on when asked.
Letting down at the 200 metres, the striking three-year-old swiftly hit the front and stretched clear, making it two Group 2 victories from as many starts this preparation by 1.7 lengths, with a jubilant Berry lifting out of his irons to salute on the line.
Sent off a $3 chance after her last-start heroics, the winner defeated Artistic Venture (Trapeze Artist), who out-ran her $41 odds, with $2.50 favourite and Furious Stakes second Tupakara (Trapeze Artist) crossing the line another 0.4 lengths behind in third.
Freedman admitted to concern over the gate pre-race and was delighted to see his filly prove a class above her ten rivals.
“I think she’s pretty special,” the trainer said.
“I was very impressed with her first-up two weeks ago but overcoming a few difficulties there today with the wide run, through no fault of Tommy’s, we were always worried about that gate.
“To let down like she did, from a training perspective, you don’t get too many horses that can do that.”
Apocalyptic was cut from $4.50 to a clear-cut $2.20 favourite for the Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick on October 4, and her trainer believes another step up in trip for the Group 1 is likely to suit.
“I’ll speak to Tommy and see what he thinks but she did relax a little bit better today even though she didn’t have cover, which gives me some encouragement going up to the mile in two weeks’ time should suit her,” Freedman said.
“She has always given us the impression the longer trip should suit so hopefully it will play that way.”
Berry was not overly concerned when he had to track wide on Apocalyptic but was aware the race may have been a hard watch for Freedman.
“I would have loved a heart monitor on Michael halfway around,” the winning rider quipped.
“We both knew before the race it was a very tricky barrier. She’s got such a big stride…I didn’t really mind being wide on her, it was better than being in.
“We’ve had a big wrap on her for a long time and I’ve had wraps on horses before and it doesn’t come to fruition, which today it has.”
Apocalyptic (3 f Extreme Choice – Shadow by Medaglia D’Oro) was a $400,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase by MyRacehorse, her trainer and Julian Blaxland Bloodstock from the Coolmore Stud draft in 2024.
Bred by Kate Nivison’s Etak Thoroughbreds, she is the second foal and second winner out of Shadow (Medaglia D’Oro), a granddaughter of dual Group 1 winner Virage De Fortune (Anabaa) from the family of champion Emancipation (Bletchingly).
Apocalyptic’s brother sold to Chris Waller Racing, Mulcaster Bloodstock and B2B Thoroughbreds for $1.7 million at Inglis Easter Yearling Sale earlier this year. Shadow was covered late last season by Pierro (Lonhro) after missing to Extreme Choice.