Time Thief Takes First Step

It’s a long haul to the Group One MRC Caulfield Guineas when you start the spring unraced, but champion trainer Lee Freedman believes he has the horse to do it following an impressive debut win by $2million Redoute’s Choice colt Time Thief at Moonee Valley on Wednesday.

Making his first public appearance, the Rockmount speller and pretrainer Time Thief was a touch slow to jump but mustered speed quickly and when asked to extend in the straight responded in impressive style to dash clear and win the Ratings 82 event over 1000 metres by more than a length.

“Forget about the price tag… he was having his first start in a Ratings 82 event against some very nice horses,” said Lee Freedman.

“I liked the way he put himself into the race and the way he finished it off.”

Time Thief (pictured as a yearling) will now attempt to chart a path to the Caulfield Guineas and emulate the performance of last year’s winner Weekend Hussler, who also started the spring unraced.

“It’s not easy and I’m not saying he’s as good as that horse, but it can be done,” Freedman added.

Time Thief suffered a virus last spring and then when brought back into work for the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper he battled shinsoreness, forcing Freedman to be patient and so sent him up to Rockmount’s water walker for rehabilitation.

“I told the boss (Sheikh Mohammed) the horse had ability but needed time and that’s the good thing about training for Darley, they trust your judgement,” Freedman said.

Purchased for $2million by John Ferguson Bloodstock from the draft of Kia Ora Stud at the 2007 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Time Thief is the sixth winner for outstanding producer Procrastinate.