Racing: Ockham's Razor sharp for Million, says Freedman

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One of the biggest names among the Australian army who will invade Ellerslie for the Karaka Million on Sunday will be flying a little more under the radar than his fans are used to.

But make no mistake, if Ockham's Razor wins our only $1 million race Lee Freedman will deserve plenty of the accolades.

The Australian Hall of Fame trainer does not have his name on the stationery these days, taking a step back from the day-to-day running of his family training business after nearly three decades of success at the most elite level.

But the competitive juices still flow.

"We are here to win and this was the race he was bought for," Freedman told the Herald.

Ockham's Razor is trained by Freedman's brother Anthony, who now runs their Victorian stables, although Lee still has daily involvement.

"But it is his stable, he is the boss because you can't have two of them," Lee Freedman said. "But I'm there to provide my input."

The five-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer is still only 55 years old and said he might return to fulltime training - "maybe someday, somewhere in the world".

"But I wanted a break and I think not enough people in racing do that.

"People in other walks of life get away from their careers for a while or change jobs but not in racing. I think it is healthy to take the chance to do something else.

"But I still love racing and would love for us to win a $1 million race in New Zealand."

Between looking after Ockham's Razor at Murray Baker's Cambridge stables, Freedman has taken time to inspect yearlings for the sales which start at Karaka on Monday.

"I looked at a great draft from Pencarrow Stud yesterday and having the sales and the race night so close together next week is one things that makes it such a great meeting."

He rates Ockham's Razor a natural 2-year-old who impressed the stable with his debut second at Caulfield.

"He got a little bit back that day but looped them and held on really well for second to a good filly.

"If he can get a decent draw on Sunday and stay handier, which is possible over the 1200m rather than the 1100m against some pretty sharp babies over home, then he is in with a real chance."

He and fellow Australian contender Sell In May will get a look at Ellerslie when they gallop there at 7am today.

It will not hurt Ockham's Razor having Craig Williams, riding in the form of his life, in the saddle.

"I think you could make a case Craig is the most in-form jockey in the world in the last few months," said Freedman.

Williams will feel right at home in the Ellerslie jockeys' room too, with five of his leading fellow Australians likely to ride in the Karaka Million.

Even after the meeting lost Nash Rawiller and Kerrin McEvoy to suspension, it could boost arguably the greatest line-up of Australian jockeys to converge on Ellerslie for one race.

Damian Oliver will partner Mai Guru, with fellow Melbourne Cup winner Corey Brown on Green Wings.

They will be joined by Ben Melham on Sell In May, Hugh Bowman will partner Silk Pins and Danny Nikolic rides Deakes, who is likely to be the last qualifier in the stakes-based rankings.

With Rawiller suspended, Matt Cameron takes the reins on leading local contender Warhorse, who was brutal in winning the Stella Artois Eclipse Stakes on New Year's Day.

The draw will be conducted at noon tomorrow and will be crucial to determining favouritism.

"It is such a great field, with a lot of depth," said ARC racing manager Andrew Castles. "It is going to be a super betting race."

KARAKA MILLION

* An army of Australia's racing elite invades Ellerslie on Sunday.
* Six leading Australian jockeys will ride in the Karaka Million, New Zealand's only $1 million race.
* Former champion trainer Lee Freedman is overseeing the preparation of Ockham's Razor.
* The meeting is the forerunner to the Karaka yearling sales, which start on Monday.