It’s that man again.
Zac Purton has ridden a Group 1 double on Saturday afternoon at Royal Randwick. After winning on Artorius in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes in the previous race; he then saw success aboard Communist in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas.
It was another Zac Purton special when electing to take a mid-field sit as speed map followers would’ve been wondering why he didn’t lead them up like he did in the Hobartville Stakes last time out.
Clearly the move was justified as he loomed like the winner a long way out as they turned for home, Purton had hardly asked for an effort from the son of Russian Revolution. Before ambling up up to the leaders and kicking clear with 100m to go.
It was a dominate win as the well fancied Aft Cabin ($2.50) elected to sit third last the entire trip before making late inroads, finishing in fourth position.
The Chris Waller-trained Lindermann was a big improver, stepping up to Group 1 level for the first time and was a strong front-runner to finish into second, while the ever-consist galloper, Zou Tiger, found the minor money again.
It was the Hobartville form yet again coming to the fore as this is the eleventh straight year the Randwick Guineas winner has won or run in the Group 2 feature.
2023 Group 1 Randwick Guineas Replay – Communist
Trainer Michael Freedman was delighted with the win and gave the Hong Kong leading hoop plenty of credit to adopting the tactics they did on Saturday.
“It didn’t really suit going to the front the other day in the Hobartville,” said Freedman.
“I think having a set of fresh eyes with Zac coming from Hong Kong, I’m not going to tie him down with instructions.
“He’s a world class rider and it’s great to have him back and obviously I’m rapt with the result, more so for the people that are involved with this horse. They’ve been very staunch owners of mine.”
He also eluded to the next task for Communist being a light weight hopeful in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile.
“I think you’d have a think about it. There’s probably a lot of options to have a look at, he could be a lightweight Doncaster horse,” said Freedman.
“His record at the mile here at Randwick is second to none.”
Zac Purton was confident a long way out and felt he was travelling well throughout the 1600m.
“We just got into a lovely spot, the race was always run to suit my horse’s rhythm and he traveled into it with a lot of confidence,” said Purton.
“When I asked him he thought about it. He put his head up and didn’t quite want to go on with it, but once I gave him a tickle he went.”
Communist is currently an $11 chance with online bookmakers for the Doncaster Mile.
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