"Freedom Rally: Gollan's Rising Star Set to Shine"
"Tony Gollan's rising star Freedom Rally is making strides in the racing world, displaying remarkable potential and drawing comparisons to stablemate Antino as he sets his sights on future triumphs."
As Tony Gollan's stable gears up to make headlines with Antino's forthcoming international journey to Hong Kong, another horse is quietly gaining attention, ready to follow in his footsteps. This horse is Freedom Rally, a promising talent who, even with the spotlight firmly on Antino, is gradually establishing his identity. His recent performances, particularly in the $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude and the $2 million Five Diamonds, have not only brought him significant prize money but have also led to comparisons with Antino's early career—underscoring the potential of Gollan's latest contender.
Freedom Rally has earned $476,000 in prize money from a third-place finish in the Prelude and a second-place finish in the Five Diamonds, pushing his career earnings beyond the $1 million mark. This remarkable achievement is built upon seven wins and six minor placings from 20 races, with his two close losses in the Five Diamonds series demonstrating his consistent competitiveness at the highest level. Although he hasn’t secured a victory yet, it is clear that Freedom Rally is on an upward trajectory towards greater success.
Gollan is optimistic about the prospects for the five-year-old gelding, noting the similarities between Freedom Rally and Antino's career paths. “If you examine his record, it almost parallels Antino’s at a comparable point in their careers,” Gollan remarked. “I’m not suggesting he is exactly like Antino, but his progression thus far resembles that journey.”
The similarity is remarkable. Antino, a six-year-old with an impressive 50% success rate from 22 races and earnings exceeding $2 million, has been a pivotal figure in Gollan's stable for quite some time. His recent victory in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap, along with a close second-place finish against Mr Brightside in the Champions Mile at Flemington, has solidified his status among Australia’s top racehorses. Currently, Gollan is getting Antino ready for an international competition in Hong Kong, a testament to his ongoing excellence.
As Freedom Rally’s career continues to develop, the outlook appears bright. With a 66% winning rate after six races—four victories to his name—his potential is clear. His performances in both the Prelude and Five Diamonds inspired genuine optimism from Gollan and jockey Tommy Berry. Entering the latter event as a $15 underdog, Freedom Rally showcased his quality, with Gollan noting how close the horse was to victory. “We felt very confident going into the Diamonds,” Gollan remarked. “Although we didn’t secure the win, we were in contention, and with a bit more race pressure, we might have been discussing a different outcome.”
Freedom Rally is more than just a talented horse; he exhibits resilience and a capacity to adapt and enhance his skills. His commendable travel performance in previous races has instilled optimism in Gollan regarding his future. “Whenever they’ve traveled, they’ve returned improved, and I anticipate the same from Freedom Rally as we move ahead,” Gollan remarked. “His latest two performances have clearly demonstrated his potential, and we plan to take him to Melbourne in the autumn, although we're still finalizing the arrangements.”
As we look forward to 2025, Gollan has a clear vision for Freedom Rally. “I believe he’s an excellent miler with the capability to extend his distance,” Gollan mentioned. “I anticipate a busy 2025 for him.” While the comparison to Antino highlights the horse’s potential, it’s evident that Freedom Rally is poised to emerge from the shadows—bringing with him the promise of an exciting future on the racetrack.
As Gollan's stable flourishes, Freedom Rally's gradual ascent could emerge as one of the most captivating tales in Australian racing in the coming years. With his remarkable consistency, increasing self-assurance, and the tactical mentorship of his seasoned trainer, Freedom Rally is likely to soon become a familiar name among racing fans everywhere—particularly if he continues to reflect the impressive trajectory of his stable companion Antino.
