Punters feel pinch in Chenier Sandown loss

The Anthony Freedman stable hasn’t lost any faith in Chenier despite his defeat as a long odds-on favourite at Sandown.

Chenier was sent out a $1.24 chance in Wednesday’s Clanbrooke Racing Handicap on the strength of an impressive debut win at Sandown, but had his colours lowered by $18 chance Lady Lupino.

Sam Freedman, assistant trainer to his father Anthony, said he will go home disappointed in defeat but not in the Godolphin-owned colt.

“He’ll still be a good horse,” Freedman said.

“It’s funny these midweek races when they go slow in front on a softish track, it’s not easy to catch them.

“He’s still ran really well. He’s come from a long way back to finish second.

“If you don’t look at his market price you would say he’s run a very nice race.”

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Freedman said the track was softer than when Chenier scored over 1200m on debut at Sandown on March 20 with jockey Kerrin McEvoy saying that contributed to his defeat.

The Freedman stable insists the colt will develop with age.

“We’ve maintained all along he’s a three-year-old type.,” Freedman said.

“He’s still learning his caper and we’ll get him home and see how he’s pulled up.”

McEvoy made the trip from Sydney to test Chenier as a potential ride in the Group One Champagne Stakes at Randwick on April 20.

The jockey said he expected more and held concerns before the straight.

“A horse on my inside was sort of pushing me out of the way and I came off the bridle and he didn’t pick up for me straight away,” McEvoy said.

“He picked up eventually to get into the race but he didn’t finish with the vigour that I expected him to and I think that can be put down to the ground.”