Lee Freedman has warned against discounting the chances of former South African mare Dane Julia in Saturday's Group One Myer Classic at Flemington.Freedman said the five-year-old was a much better hope than her $18 quote with TAB Sportsbet indicated and would get her chance to win from barrier two in the 1600m feature after the scratching of Absolut Glam."I was taken with her run last week," Freedman said."I think the quick back up will suit her, Flemington will suit her and she has finally draw
Lee Freedman has warned against discounting the chances of former South African mare Dane Julia in Saturday's Group One Myer Classic at Flemington.
Freedman said the five-year-old was a much better hope than her $18 quote with TAB Sportsbet indicated and would get her chance to win from barrier two in the 1600m feature after the scratching of Absolut Glam.
"I was taken with her run last week," Freedman said.
"I think the quick back up will suit her, Flemington will suit her and she has finally drawn an inside gate.
"Often this race looks cut and dried but I think she is among the chances despite what the markets think."
Dane Julia has won six of her 17 starts but is still a maiden in Australia after joining the Freedman stable this year.
Last week she ran on strongly to finish fifth in a blanket finish to dead-heaters Bird Of Fire and Miss Badoura in the Inglis Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
At her previous three starts she had finished within two lengths of the winners Mimi Lebrock in the Let's Elope Stakes, Tuesday Joy in the Stocks Stakes and Sparkling Satine over 1740 metres at Flemington.
Forensics is the $3.20 favourite ahead of Mimi Lebrock ($6) and Gallant Tess ($6.50) who is backing up from her eighth in the Cox Plate.
Bart Cummings said Mimi Lebrock can still win despite having to jump from the outside barrier, 13.
"I think she can overcome it. I hope so, she is in really good form," Cummings said.
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"She should be able to get across from there and slot in midfield comfortably."
Tan Tat De Lago has also drawn wide but trainer Peter Moody said he has her peaking for Saturday.
"She is going tremendously well but unfortunately she has drawn a sticky gate again," Moody said.
"We would like a bit of rain to offset that gate (11) but she has had a lovely lead-in to this race which we have targeted along with the Emirates Stakes the following week."
Tan Tat De Lago was an eye-catching first-up fifth when beaten a length by El Cambio in the Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 4 and last start flashed home when second to Mimi Lebrock in the Group Two Tristarc Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield two weeks ago.
"I expect her to go well again," Moody said.
Flemington trainer Danny O'Brien scratched Absolut Glam because of muscle tightness across her back while Adelaide trainer Leon Macdonald was unhappy with Serious Speed and also withdrew her from the race.
Rose Of Cimmaron was the other Myer Classic scratching.