Lightly raced three-year-old Decorum has now claimed three successes from just four outings, positioning him as a contender for the Group One Rosehill Guineas.
The Michael Freedman-trained colt, sent out as the $1.65 market elect, built on his fresh triumph at Warwick Farm from earlier this month by securing a determined win in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1600m) back at that track on Wednesday, edging out Lancelot Du Lac ($2.80) by a half-length.
A full sibling to the 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes victor Switzerland, Decorum appears to relish greater distances compared to his sprinting brother, yet winning rider Tommy Berry believes he holds comparable potential.
“I just can’t wait to get him to 2000 (metres). He feels like he’s looking for that sort of ground,” Berry said.
“There is definitely a good race in him. I’m just not sure which one it is.”
Decorum carries entries for various autumn carnival highlights, such as the Randwick Guineas and Rosehill Guineas.
Spring Champion Stakes winner Attica, returning in Saturday’s Hobartville Stakes at Randwick, ranks among the top hopes for those events, and Berry spots parallels with Decorum.
Indeed, Attica just managed to beat Decorum in their shared debut race at Warwick Farm last year, prior to the former securing his Group 1 victory three outings on.
“Not that I’ve ridden Attica, but I’ve seen plenty of him, he reminds me a little bit of him a ‘prep’ ago, so he’s a prep behind him,” Berry said.
“He’s one of those horses, he’s a real working class horse and when the penny drops, which probably won’t be until the spring, he’s just going to keep going the way he’s going.
“The Randwick Guineas might be a little bit sharp for him, but you’ve probably got to go there on your way to a Rosehill Guineas.”
Although Decorum delivered what could be considered the standout performance of the day, Nash Rawiller earned riding accolades with a trio of wins in the initial three contests.
He achieved success on the last-minute mount Satirically representing Tulloch Lodge in the opener, then notched further triumphs on Wolf Gap prepared by Anthony and Sam Freedman, along with Straand Beauty handled by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
Explore the Australian betting sites for top racing odds ahead of the Rosehill Guineas.