Ain’tnodeeldun is set to have his second run back from serious injury with the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable expecting improvement at Caulfield.
Brad Taylor, racing manager for the father-and-son training duo, said Ain’tnodeeldun had come on from his first-up run in the Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m) at Flemington last month and was looking forward to seeing how the four-year-old runs in the Manhari Metals Plate (1600m) on Saturday.
The Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap was Ain’tnodeeldun’s first run in 16 months after suffering a pelvic injury which followed owners knocking back an offer from Hong Kong for the then three-year-old.
That Hong Kong offer came on the back of Ain’tnodeeldun winning the Listed Connoisseur Plate (1800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day in 2020.
Taylor said Ain’tnodeeldun was ‘ring rusty’ in his return run.
“He’d had a few trials leading into the race, but there is nothing like a race to bring on some improvement,” Taylor said.
“The drop back from Group 3 grade to a Benchmark 84 is a big drop and up to a trip that is more suitable, I think you shall see an improved run.”
It has been four weeks since Ain’tnodeeldun was seen first-up and while given time initially to get over the run, the four-year-old has not been resting on his laurels.
“He had a tick over jump-out at Balnarring last week, and he trialled really nicely,” Taylor said.
“That trial tidied him up and he should strip a lot fitter on Saturday.”
What the Freedmans have planned for Ain’tnodeeldun following Saturday’s race will be determined by how he performs on Saturday.
The Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday week may come up too soon, but Taylor said there was stakes races in Adelaide over the next six weeks that may be suitable.
“He’s still only low 80’s in his rating, so there’s still plenty of room to move,” Taylor said.