Paths Of Glory (IRE) arrived at the stables of Richard and Michael Freedman with a perfectly acceptable record in England, four wins and four placings from nine starts, however, it took a bit of time to acclimatise to the new surroundings in his adopted homeland.
After two unplaced runs at Rosehill in June, the son of Mastercraftsman was a shock $31 winner over 1800m on the Kensington track at Randwick on July 18.
The China Horse Club colour bearer was at extended odds again in Friday’s Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) but another inspired ride by Rachel King resulted in Path Of Glory (IRE) defeating the Chris Waller-trained The Lord Mayor by a long-head with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Hush Writer (Rulership) the same distance back in third.
“Rachel’s ride was just sensational,” Richard Freedman told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“I said to Rachel he is first-up for a while over 2100 metres, you are going to have to give him a rest somewhere. She might have takes that a bit literally. He was resting up out the back where he has never races, but I thought coming to the corner that he is running into this, I didn’t think he would run all the way but he did.
“He is a genuine stayer and the longer they get the better he will go. He likes the 2400m trip so I suppose it’s off to the Newcastle Cup now.”
Purchased by China Horse Club for €60,000 out of the Castlebridge Stud draft at the 2016 Orby Fillies Sale, Paths Of Glory (IRE) is the best of two winners from three to race out of the Group II Prix de Malleret winner Pacific Rim (Singspiel) who is a half-sister to Group II Prix Hocquart winner and Group 1 Prix Gran Criterium de Saint-Cloud third Prairie Star (Peintre Celebre) who finished fourth in Alcopop’s Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes when trained by Danny O’Brien.
Paths Of Glory (IRE) becomes the 72nd stakes winner for the former Windsor Park shuttler Mastercraftsman (IRE)
