Punt Drunk: Mitch Freedman hits headlines on cobalt charges

[Wandering Eyes]

Another weekend has come and gone as the countdown to the new racing season heats up. We look back at the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes, Mitch Freedman’s brush with the regulators, and some of the drama that unfolded at Doomben on Saturday.

Sansom takes out a thrilling Bletchingly Stakes

Sansom proved too good in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes. (Racing Photos)

The Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes was the featured event around the country on Saturday afternoon, and it was a strong edition with the likes of The Astrologist, Red Can Man, Streets Of Avalon and Viridine involved. Sansom and Streets Of Avalon went stride for stride over the final 100m, but it was the Phillip Stokes runner who got the better of his more credentialed rival. Both of those horses look poised to take up a position in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes next month.

Mitch Freedman issued with cobalt charges

Mitch Freedman is the latest trainer to have his name in the news for the wrong reasons. (Racing Photos)

We should know by now that trainers just find themselves in trouble, but the one we did not expect to see in the news for the wrong reasons was Mitch Freedman. The Ballarat-based trainer has had two cobalt charges issued over samples taken from his mare Pearl De Vare prior to a race at Geelong in 2019. Now, these charges are always a big no-no, but this one dates back to June 28, 2019, since when Pearl De Vare has departed Freedman’s stable.

Trainer revived after heart attack at Doomben

Magnufighter providing trainer Gary Duncan with happier memories at Doomben last year.

Going to the races is always a highlight on anyone’s calendar, whether you are a spectator, bookie, jockey or even a trainer, but Gary Duncan will remember the Doomben meeting on Saturday for very different reasons. The popular trainer was at the tie-up stalls following the first race when onlookers watched him collapse. Thankfully, the medicos were on the scene in a flash and Duncan left the races in the back of an ambulance conscious with his wife Megan by his side. He is now on the mend following surgery on Saturday afternoon.

Monday Racing Tips – July 26, 2021

• Corowa racing tips

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