Racing: Freedman seeks guide to Guineas

Victorian trainer Lee Freedman. Photo / Herald on Sunday

MELBOURNE - Victorian trainer Lee Freedman will get a clearer guide on his Caulfield Guineas chances when stablemates Censor and The Ruffian clash in the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley tonight.

Censor is $5.50 favourite with TAB Sportsbet and The Ruffian is at $11 for the 3-year-old 1600m feature.

Freedman said there was a query about how far Censor could train on into the spring while he expected a big improvement from The Ruffian.

"I would have always said that The Ruffian was a more exciting horse but Censor keeps putting up," Freedman said.

"The question is whether he is coming to the end of his tether, because he was up a lot earlier than these horses."

A son of Elusive Quality, Censor gets his chance to impress again, though he is awkwardly drawn in barrier 11.

"I think Moonee Valley under lights and the track will suit him so it will be interesting," Freedman said on Wednesday.

"As I have said before, he was a bit of a surprise to us and Friday night will be the make or break for him whether he goes on or goes out for a bit of a spell."

Censor won his first three starts at Kyneton, Sandown and Flemington and will be ridden by Damien Oliver after finishing third to Hollowlea and Altius as favourite in the Listed Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 4.

Danny Nikolic will ride The Ruffian, who was second in the SAJC Sires' Produce Stakes (1600m) in the autumn.

First-up this campaign he was beaten in a photo-finish when second to Guineas Prelude winner Anacheeva in the Mitchell McKenzie Stakes at the Valley but he could finish only ninth in the Henry Bucks Best Dressed.

"He didn't handle the heavy ground at Flemington and was rocking and rolling around everywhere and lost a plate," Freedman said.

"I think there was plenty to forgive with the horse.

"He will wear blinkers for the first time Friday night and he will improve out of sight back on better ground at Moonee Valley."

- AAP