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By Ray Hickson

A carbon copy of Manaal’s second-up performance in the autumn at Randwick on Saturday would suit trainer Michael Freedman nicely and give him a bit to think about heading further into the spring.

Trainer Michael Freedman (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The Group 1 winning filly was beaten first-up in the Widden, carrying a penalty and giving subsequent Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot 3kg, when she resumed in the autumn before returning to set weights and winning the Sweet Embrace.

That’s the scenario she faces again in the Group 2 $300,000 Darley Furious Stakes (1200m) – she gave the winner Ameena 3kg in the Silver Shadow two weeks ago and was narrowly beaten into third but Freedman hopes with that run and the switch to set weights things are more in her favour.

“It was a tight finish among three or four of them,’’ Freedman said.

“I think second-up, like she was in the autumn into the Sweet Embrace, with that run under her belt it’s hopefully a slightly better set up for her.

“Back to set weights makes a bit of difference and she goes into the race in good nick.”

It’s fair to say Manaal, $2.70 with TAB on Friday, had her chance in the run in the Silver Shadow, the winner came off her back, but Freedman said he liked the way she fought on and has seen improvement in her fitness.

“She had a good blow after that race the other day so fitness wise it’s done her some good,’’ he said.

“She’s had a good couple of weeks and worked nicely on Tuesday.

“It’d be nice to try and find a spot midfield or a touch better than midfield depending on the speed in the race, hopefully Jason (Collett) can find a bit of cover and give her the chance.”

Freedman said whether he continues along the Princess Series route, to the Tea Rose and Flight Stakes, or deviates to something else in some way will be decided after Saturday.

Boom filly Autumn Glow, who has usurped Manaal's position at the top of Flight Stakes betting, is likely to be among the opposition in the next leg of the Princess Series which is the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) in two weeks.

“At this stage I’m keeping an open mind as to which way we head with her,’’ he said.

The Randwick trainer isn’t forecasting an upset by Moravia in the Group 3 $1 million Southern Cross Group Concorde Stakes (1000m) but he would like to see the gelding make a mini-statement first-up.

It definitely wasn’t in the plan to tackle the Everest lead up with the four-year-old but it became an option when he was scratched from a wide barrier last weekend.

“I’m keen to get him going because he’s been ticking over for a while,’’ he said.

“I’m not under any illusions about an 86 rater against that quality of opposition.

“But he seems to have come back bigger, stronger, and a bit more focused and he’s always shown good ability. He could certainly run a good race then set him up for other options further down the track.”

Manaal runs third at Randwick on August 24

Michael Freedman on Flying Destiny (race 10): “It’s a little bit of a shy at the stumps, he’ll probably go for a little break then come back for racing over the summer. He’s a good genuine horse and has had a great prep and we’ll give him his chance. He’s very competitive and he rarely runs a bad race. It’s a step up but he’s in great form.”

On Panic (race 10): “I thought he took benefit from that first-up run and on James McDonald’s suggestion we put the tongue tie on. He was mucking around with his tongue a little bit during the race and affecting his breathing. He’s been working in it the last 10 days and has trained on well.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting