Trainer Michael Freedman has suggested his upset Randwick Guineas 2023 winner Communist could sneak in as a genuine light-weight chance in April’s Group 1 $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m).
The $4 million Doncaster Mile in April is a potential autumn option for upset 2023 Randwick Guineas winner Communist. Photo: Steve Hart.
The nicely-bred son of Russian Revolution continued his good mile form at Royal Randwick peaking third-up off a brilliant ride by Hong Kong’s Zac Purton to salute at $16 in this year’s Group 1 $1 million Randwick Guineas (1600m).
The three-year-old was one of the forgotten and underrated horses in the event after a far from ideal lead-up when seventh in the Hobartville last time out.
“It didn’t really suit going to the front the other day in the Hobartville,” Freedman told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“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 hasn’t been the easiest horse so far he’s been a bit quirky, but I think he’s got a bit of a future.
“He’s been a bit of a problem child for a while, but I’d had a lot of faith in his ability.
“His work on Monday at Hawkesbury was first class. I think maybe just having Zac here, not too many preconceived ideas. We just said ‘ride him how you feel he’s traveling.’ He is a better chaser, I’ve always felt that there’s this sort of run in him.”
Communist was better over further with a change of hoop as Purton celebrated a Group 1 double on the day having earlier taken out the Canterbury Stakes in a fast-finishing upset on the globe-trotting Artorius for the other Freedmans – Anthony & Sam.
Purton had Communist settled just off the speed in fifth behind the front runner Hollywood Hero before looming on the home straight.
Inside the final furlong he moved up to tackle Chris Waller-trained Lindermann, who had hit the lead briefly off a good on-speed run in second, before breaking clear and charging to the line for a tidy one and a quarter-length success.
Continuing a frustrating run of minor placings in third was the John O’Shea-trained Zou Tiger, while James Cummings‘ short-priced favourite Aft Cabin got too far back and failed to run out the mile crossing fourth.
Freedman is now considering keeping Communist at a mile for the Doncaster Mile on April 1 on Day 1 of ‘The Championships’.
“There’s probably a lot of options to have a look at, he could be a lightweight Doncaster horse,” he said.
“His record at the mile here at Randwick is second to none. He ran a narrow placing in the Dulcify and a narrow placing behind Golden Mile in the big race (the Group 2 $1 million Callander-Presnell) in the spring.
“I think he’s got a pretty good future.”
Communist could also be stepped-up in distance for the Group 1 $600,000 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 18 for which he leads all-in betting for at $5 through Ladbrokes.
The Autumn Sun (2019) was the last horse to complete the Randwick – Rosehill Guineas double.
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