Turn back the clock to early August and comeback trainer Richard Freedman was told "if he doesn't finish in the first four" he's out the door but a lot has changed in the past two months.
Earlier this year Freedman took over the training of the China Horse's Club's enigmatic import Auvray and after an encouraging start to life under his third Aussie trainer with an eye-catching fifth in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup – normal service resumed for the seven-year-old.
Two last placings followed, beaten a combined margin of 94-3/4 lengths before the gelding made considerable improvement when only beaten 5-1/4 lengths, but he still only managed to beat two horses home.
"They rang me and told me 'if he doesn't finish in the first four – he's out the door'," Freedman said.
"I suspect he was going to be sold but when he ran fourth they said, 'Ok, you get another one'.
"He was on notice for two runs but he's turned it all around."
After that fourth placing on August 5, Auvray won a benchmark 93 handicap at Randwick, ran second in the Group III Newcastle Cup before recording his first Australian stakes win in the Group III Colin Stephen Quality (2600m) at Randwick.
Freedman, who was a part of Australian racing's famous FBI (Freedman Brothers Incorporated) when it was brother Lee's name on the stable door, described Auvray's second lease on life as a racehorse as one of his most satisfying experiences in the industry.
"It wasn't fun when he was beating me hands down – when he had me down two sets to love and five love in the third but since he's turned the corner it's been great fun," he said.
"I think this horse has just about been the most fun I can remember as a trainer.
"I got more of a kick when he won his first race for me and the Group III race at Randwick than I got out of many, many, many Group Is over the years.
"It was something that no one thought could be done with the horse and at times I didn't think it could be done either, it was just so satisfying and to do it with my son Will is obviously pretty special too."
So what's been the key to Auvray's turnaround? According to Richard Freedman it's been a bit of 'tough love'.
"I don't think I've worked a horse harder than this," he said. "It's amazing the work he cops and he eats it up.
"He's a horse that needs a lot of work. He's a much nicer horse when he's had plenty of work. That's him.
"To put it into perspective for people, I train him more like a marathon runner rather than a 400 metre runner.
"He goes and does some dressage school and he also gently hops over a couple of cross country fences too. It's keeps his mind happy, he's in a good place the horse.
"Right now he's sound and he's happy."
On Saturday, Auvray steps out in the $500,000 rebirth of the ATC St Leger Stakes (2500m), formerly known as the AJC St Leger, the race which was the first classic run in Australia in 1841. It was last run in 2001 and won by Sky Heights.
Freedman expects Auvray to produce another solid showing in Saturday's set weights and penalties contest.
"I think he's going better now than what he was going into the Newcastle Cup or the Colin Stephen," he said.
"If we got a bit of rain this week it would enhance his chances.
"It's a suitable race and he'll be competitive."
Freedman said Auvray "has been in work since February" and he hasn't seriously looked beyond Saturday but wouldn't rule out a possible trip to Melbourne for a race during the Flemington carnival.
"He's still in the Melbourne Cup but I'd say that's unlikely," he said. "If we end up down there I'd think he'd be more suited to a race like the Queens Cup on the last day."
