Breeding & Racing Magazine

Free Trade Issues Warning to Spring Rivals

One of Western Australia’s most consistent sprinters has issued an unwritten warning to rivals with a dominant trial return, reports rwwa.com.au. Free Trade, a lightly raced 5YO gelding by Trade Fair out of Dr Johnson mare Lady Xena, is yet to miss a place in 15 starts for Boyanup trainer Michael Lane. A winner of three of his last four starts including his most recent two at stakes level – the Listed Pinjarra Classic and Listed Bunbury Stakes – Free Trade took on undefeated Cliffs of Comfort in his Belmont trial and won under a tight hold in the fastest 1000m trial of the day. A delighted Lane enthused, “He’s right where I was hoping he was and I think there’s a lot of improvement there still. He went out and he had 10 or 12 weeks off, so he would’ve had to have too long out if I didn’t bring him back in now.” Lane advised, “He’s still a few weeks off racing but he’s come back nice and Chris (Parnham) was very happy. He’s a very exciting horse.” See below for an example of Free Trade's huge talent.