Point Barrow a Rose on Oaks Day

The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable have another smart three-year-old sprinter on their hands after Point Barrow scored a thrilling win down the straight at Flemington. 

Point Barrow took out the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1200m) on Thursday to follow the stable's success in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) with Tentyris last Saturday. 

Tentyris returns to Flemington on Saturday where he will step out against the older horses for the first time in the Group 1 VRC Champions Sprint (1200m). 

Point Barrow, under Daniel Stackhouse, showed a blistering turn of speed to haul in stablemate Inkaruna to score by 1-¼ lengths with Miss Freelove the same margin away third. 

But before correct weight could be declared, Jye McNeil, rider of the fourth placegetter Akaysha, fired in a protest against the first two across the line, but after a stewards hearing, the objection was dismissed. 

Sam Freedman said Point Barrow shows a stack of ability but still does a lot wrong. 

"She's shown herself to have a nice change-up speed anyway, but she's still doing a bit wrong," Freedman said. 

"She got a bit keen in the early stages, that's part of the reason we came today rather than throwing her in the deep end in a race like the Coolmore, because she's just doing a little bit wrong. 

"She was dominant in the end, and once she works out her craft, she's going to be a pretty special filly hopefully." 

Freedman said it was pleasing to win a nice race in the McKenna family colours and for Janice McKenna who was on-course. 

It was just on 12 months ago that McKenna lost her husband Colin to brain cancer which resulted in a number of the stock they raced together being put up for sale. 

One of the horses the couple bred was Half Yours who took out the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. 

"It's really special Janice is here today," Freedman said. 

"She hasn't been to the races so far this preparation. We had a chat this morning, and she was keen to come out here, and that's quite emotional. 

"I met Col through his time in racing, at Magic Millions when Andy Makiv introduced us, and he took a leg of this filly, so it's nice to be here today, and I'm sure he was looking over really proud of what the filly's done." 

Colin McKenna was a mentor for champion trainer Ciaron Maher who was hand to congratulate Janice McKenna as did Melbourne Cup winning trainer Calvin McEvoy. 

"What a horse trainer Sam Freedman is," McKenna said. 

"Colin was there when we bought her and Ciaron Maher came up to congratulate us as did Calvin McEvoy and you have to remember there was no more popular person than Colin was. 

"It's all special to us and he will be smiling down on us." 

Freedman said Point Barrow was likely to be turned out for a spell, but would hold off until he sees how the filly recovers from Thursday's win and then have a discussion with connections. 

"She's done enough this preparation," Freedman said. 

"She's been in for a little while, and she's taken every step forward. She came back from an injury to do this, this preparation, so I'd be inclined to go to the paddock and look towards a race like the Sangster in the autumn."