Rosehill redemption for Transcend

Transcend’s (So You Think) connections could be forgiven for having déjà vu through the closing stages of the Mounties Group Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday, but this time the talented mare deservedly took home the winner’s share of the A$160,000 stake.

The Michael Freedman-trained Transcend had been first past the post in a tight finish to a 1400m race at the same venue two weeks ago. However, she ducked in shortly before the finish and bumped the runner-up Mind Ya Bizz (Heroic Valour), leading to a reversal of the result in the inquiry room.

There were some striking similarities on Saturday as Transcend found herself in another close finish, this time as she slowly but surely got the better of the front-running Glasgow Lass (Alabama Express).

Again Transcend was wayward under pressure, and again the two rivals came together in the closing stages. But this time it was insufficient to change the placings, and after viewing replays the connections of the runner-up didn’t even lodge a protest.

“She might send me grey a little early if that keeps happening,” Freedman said.

“But I thought today was another step in the right direction. The ear muffs are definitely getting her to switch off in her races now, which is good, because we were having a lot of trouble with that early on. If I take them off now, she might go back to her old ways. So we’ll just see how she comes along.

“I think she’ll go up in trip now, which is good, because it opens up a few more options for her. I thought today was a big step in deciding what direction we’ll take with her.”

A daughter of So You Think and the Snitzel mare Transversale, Transcend was pinhooked out of Rushton Park’s 2023 Inglis Great Southern Sale draft by Devcich Bloodstock for A$80,000.

They subsequently offered her under their Henley Park banner in Book 1 of Karaka 2024, where she was purchased by the TAB Racing Club and Ritchie Murray Racing for $150,000.

Transcend began her career in the Cambridge stable of Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, for whom she had three starts for two wins and a second.

Subsequently purchased by MyRacehorse, Transcend has now had 11 starts for three wins, three placings and A$206,352 in stakes.