Michael Freedman is finding himself with a welcome dilemma as emerging three-year-old Ninja continues to climb the ranks with impressive momentum, forcing the trainer to carefully map out the gelding’s next steps as the Magic Millions carnival draws near. With two wins from his first three starts and a growing reputation as a serious contender, Ninja is shaping as one of the more intriguing young prospects of the season.
The lightly raced gelding first made headlines with a devastating 11-length maiden romp at Kembla Grange—a performance that instantly stamped him as a talent capable of rising well beyond provincial grade. That explosive victory was followed by a gritty, professional win in Benchmark 72 company, confirming that Ninja possesses not only raw ability but also the competitive resilience needed as the races get tougher and the pressure increases.
Now, with the gelding rising in confidence and fitness, Freedman is weighing up whether to continue Ninja’s campaign in Sydney or take advantage of a lucrative opportunity in Brisbane. Both pathways present attractive options, and both could shape the trajectory of his summer preparation, particularly with a Magic Millions Guineas berth forming part of the long-range plan.
Ninja holds a nomination for another Benchmark 72 at Rosehill, a race that would keep him close to home and offer a familiar environment as he builds towards stakes level. At the same time, Freedman is strongly considering sending the gelding north for the Pierata Plate at Doomben—a set-weights feature for three-year-olds that also carries a rich purse and could provide a firm stepping stone into Magic Millions company.
With acceptances looming, Freedman is in no rush to lock himself into a decision. “I just want to see the acceptances tomorrow first, so I’m not really sure,” he said. “Either up there or here, it’ll just depend on fields and barriers.”
Both the Rosehill Benchmark 72 and the Pierata Plate will be contested over 1200 metres and each offers $160,000 in prizemoney—an appealing incentive regardless of the direction Ninja takes. For a progressive horse whose ceiling has yet to be defined, Saturday’s choice carries significant weight.
One of the more compelling aspects of Ninja’s rise has been his versatility. All three of his race-day performances have unfolded on wet ground, yet Freedman is confident the gelding does not rely on the sting out of the track to produce his best. That belief is supported by what the trainer has observed in Ninja’s recent work.
The gelding produced a sharp trial on firm going over 1050m at Randwick, showcasing the same power and fluency that marked his wet-track performances. For Freedman, that effort eased any lingering concerns around surface preferences and strengthened the case for plotting an ambitious course.
“I’ve seen enough of him on dry tracks. His trials this time back have both been on pretty firm ground, he seems pretty adept on all conditions,” Freedman said. That adaptability will be crucial if Ninja continues towards a Magic Millions campaign, given the Gold Coast typically provides fast summer tracks that demand both speed and strength.
Freedman has been quietly shaping Ninja with a long-term target in mind, and the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas sits firmly at the top of the list. “We’ll sort of put him on a pathway perhaps towards a Magic Millions Guineas. See how he comes up, but that’s sort of been a bit of a long-term program for him,” he explained.
However, the immediate decision hinges not only on form and future ambition but also on Saturday’s extreme weather forecast. Racing NSW is monitoring rising temperatures, with Sydney expected to nudge close to 40 degrees. Such heat could prompt a rescheduled meeting, adding one more variable to an already delicate planning stage.
“Should the current forecast remain in place (partly cloudy, 41 deg) it is likely the meeting will be pushed back a day and run Sunday,” Racing NSW stated on X. Any shift in race timing may influence which option proves more suitable for Ninja, particularly with a targeted Guineas build-up requiring careful spacing between runs.
The Magic Millions, known for producing explosive three-year-old clashes, often demands strategic placement in the lead-up. Freedman is aware of how important Saturday’s run will be in shaping that journey. “If you went up there and raced Saturday, you may stay on and then run in a Vo Rogue (Plate) or something,” he said, outlining one possible path through Queensland’s traditional Guineas lead-up races.
The Vo Rogue Plate, staged two weeks before the Magic Millions, commonly attracts emerging stars and often serves as a defining test. The timing also aligns with what Freedman envisions. “Second up and then a fortnight into the Magic Millions, that’s the type of program we’ll be having a look at.”
Still, nothing is guaranteed. Much depends on barriers, field strength, and the practical considerations of travel. Freedman also acknowledges that avoiding an unfavourable draw may require flexibility. “But if we drew poorly in both on the weekend, then we’ve obviously got the option of waiting and going to Wyong next week in that three-and four-year-old race.”
That Wyong option, while slightly less prestigious, would offer a controlled environment for Ninja to continue building his platform towards January’s grand final.
With every positive indicator pointing to further improvement to come, Ninja shapes as one of the more quietly exciting prospects heading into the Magic Millions season. His explosive maiden win, robust trial form, and adaptable nature give Freedman confidence he has a horse capable of handling each new challenge.
As acceptances draw near and the weather threatens to reshape the weekend’s racing schedule, all eyes will be on where Ninja is placed next. What remains certain is that whichever path Freedman chooses, the promising gelding is well on track for a summer campaign that could thrust him firmly into the spotlight.
