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By Tony Megahey

Former Great Britain and NZ galloper Nomoathaj is compelling interest at big value as the latest addition to the stables of rising trainer William Freedman into Sunday’s Bankstown Sports Club Forbes Cup.

The lightly raced seven-year-old mare, widely travelled and as well researched by the new season trainer, has shown Will enough to be a live chance in the traditional $50,000 country feature (1600m) sponsored by the Bankstown Sports Club.

Scone-based trainer Will Freedman

“We’ve only had her for a few weeks, but this mare has genuine ability, four wins from 15 starts tells you that - she trialled well enough to nominate for a mid-weeker in town, but we opted for Forbes,” Will explained from his Scone base as Nomoathaj (Ire) carries 60kg for Shaun Guymer from a wide barrier.

“Look, she might be a run short; she’ll parade that way but she’s an absolute swimmer and has run well second-up.

“They told me to forget her if she doesn’t get a rain-affected surface.”

At present, Forbes is a Heavy 8 rating with an upgrade expected.

“She’s come on from the trial, our intention is to go forward and her overseas form lines up nicely for a country Cup.”

Nomoathaj won three races in NZ at 1600m to 1800m after winning her maiden at Great Britain’s Pontefract Racetrack.

“Forget her run resuming for Tony Pike on the Gold Coast on her way down here, 1400m first-up was too short.

“We trialled her at Muswellbrook a few weeks back and out of it, Cameron Crocket’s Mr Hussill won a Highway and is favourite again at Randwick on Saturday.

“She’ll make natural improvement but on what she’s shown. I think that opening $51 is way overs in this grade.”

Will, educated by the famed racing family and with extensive experience in the USA, Dubai and NZ, has had an outstanding initial season.

Among 21 race wins is TAB Highway success and the prestige $100,000 Dubbo Cup Gold win with Zaunkonig just a few weeks after Will attained his licence. The horse was formerly trained by his father Richard and uncle Michael Freedman.

“We might try and defend our title with this mare,” Will chuckled.

In a wide market, Wild Rocket is the $4 TAB favourite ahead of Eiger, Necessary and From the Bush all at $5.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Forbes here