8 MAHOGANY With Australia’s two major Derby titles against his name and such dominance, Mahogany seemed assured of contesting races like the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but his pedigree, particularly the influence of his sire, began to impact his racing. Although he finished a narrow second in the 1995 Cox Plate to the great Octagonal, Mahogany spent more time out of the winner’s circle than in it. Still, it gave his trainer clues to the required direction with dazzling fresh form, landing his first major sprint race in the 1996 Lighting Stakes over 1000m when resuming for an autumn campaign, leaving the brilliant Alannon and Keltrice in his wake. After finishing last in the Group 2 Hill Stakes over 1900m later that year, Freedman knew it was time to change things up. “As he got older, we were having to give him a lot of work to get him up for those big races over a middle distance. He just wasn’t coping as I’d like, and his form wasn’t as strong, so I suggested to the owners that we just sprint him,” said Freedman. “I just lightened his load and backed off him, and the rest is history.” Returning deep into the 1996 spring carnival in the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes down the Flemington straight, Mahogany swept over the top of speedy stablemate Poetic King to win. Freedman’s plan was off to a flying start. Greg Hall sneaks a look over at his rivals Cangronde (left) and Spartacus (middle) as Mahogany claims the 1997 Lightning Stakes at Flemington. (Pat Scala)
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