How Now victory for Point Barrow

A brilliant finish delivered a third stakes victory for Blue Point’s talented four-year-old daughter Point Barrow in the G3 How Now Stakes (1,200m) at Caulfield.

With Mark Zahra back on board for the first time since her debut in late 2024, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained mare sat back near the rear of the 10-horse field before coming widest down the Caulfield straight.

While the short-priced favourite Bridal Waltz had set the pace throughout, Point Barrow built momentum and surged over the top in the final stages to make it a sixth win from 11 starts, by 0.35 lengths.

“I thought pre-race that she's better than these,” Sam Freedman said. “I'd like to see her back on the big stage in a big race.

“She needs a few things to go her way. She got it today with regards to getting a suck-up run and being close enough on the turn, but she's got such a good turn of foot.”

Freedman said he would consider backing Point Barrow up in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes, which is back at the same track and distance in eight days’ time.

The victory added to her earlier career G3 wins in the Don Casboult Classic and Red Roses Classic.

Point Barrow was bred by Robert and Barbara McClure, who retained a share when she was sold to her trainers for $400,000 at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale through the draft of Yarraman Park. Halo Racing and Ridgmont are also in the ownership. Her dam, Take Pride, was also a G3 winner.

Blue Point has three Stakes winners from his Australian crops and 33 Stakes winners globally.