Liberation to prove a cut above at Doomben
Liberation is only ever one poor run away from being gelded, but trainer Barry Lockwood believes he should not be so maligned.
Liberation gets his chance to prove Lockwood correct when he tackles an open company field laced with stakes winners in the Makers Mark Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
Now a four-year-old, Liberation did his early racing in Sydney with Gai Waterhouse where he developed a reputation for being wayward.
His most infamous performance was in the 2014 Up And Coming Stakes when his behaviour caused major interference.
Connections have been reluctant to geld the well-bred Liberation, who cost $500,000, as he is by Fastnet Rock out of the good-producing mare Liberty Rose.
Liberation was sent to Eagle Farm trainer Barry Lockwood last year and has won three races since moving north.
But while Lockwood has cured Liberation’s waywardness the entire has developed a reputation for not always trying his best.
At his latest start he looked likely to win easily at the 200m but was out-muscled by mare Col `N’ Lil.
“I think his jockey Brad Pengelly wanted to geld him on the spot,” Lockwood said.
“And yes, he is always only a run or so away from being gelded.
“But when you look at his record he is averaging more than $10,000 a career start.
“I think a lot of people would love a horse like.”
Lockwood said he had no doubt that Liberation was capable of winning a stakes race.
Liberation has the minimum 54kg on Saturday and with Pengelly unable to make the weight, Anthony Allen will have the ride.
Doomben Cup-bound Sir Moments will be one of Liberation’s opponents.
Sir Moments ran a close second to Casual Choice in the Gold Coast Stakes on March 12 at his first start from a long lay-off.