Racing: Colt ready to tackle elite company

Time Thief pleased trainer Lee Freedman in a workout at his training establishment yesterday ahead of the classy colt taking on multiple group one winners Weekend Hussler and Apache Cat in Saturday's Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley.

The beautifully-bred son of Redoute's Choice and Procrastinate needed a solid gallop, not having raced since his impressive first-up win over Fravashi and Fernandina in the Zeditave Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on January 26.

"He'll come through that great and it should just top him off for Saturday," said Freedman last night.

"He's taking on some great horses in that race, but he's pretty good and he'll acquit himself pretty well."

Freedman stopped short of saying that Time Thief could beat Weekend Hussler.

"He [Weekend Hussler] put in a very good run in the Lightning [when an unlucky fourth], but they are all beatable on the day."

- AAP