Trainer Michael Freedman has flagged the Epsom Handicap and the Golden Eagle as potential targets for the promising galloper Decorum, following his impressive return to racing at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
These might appear to be ambitious Group 1 goals for a four-year-old still competing in restricted grade, but Decorum’s fast-finishing victory in the TAB Handicap (1200m) clearly indicated a horse with significant potential.
Decorum was positioned deep in the pack approaching the turn, but jockey Tim Clark executed some skillful riding to find clear running room in the centre of the straight, and the gelding did the rest.
“I’ve always felt he was a horse with a lot of ability,” Freedman stated. “He’s well-bred (by Snitzel) but he was going to get very heavy so we felt he needed gelding to bring out the best in him. “I thought he had trialled really well leading into this race but you want to see them do it on raceday and he certainly produced today. “His acceleration in the straight was very good and we might see if he can emerge as a possible lightweight chance in the Epsom or even the Golden Eagle.'”
The $4.80 favourite, Decorum, surged to victory by a margin exceeding two lengths over Unleeshing ($15), with Off The Press ($15) finishing a length further back in third.
Clark commented that Decorum had shown promising signs in both trials, leading him to feel quietly confident heading into Saturday’s race.
“I thought he was the best horse in the race and it was just a matter of getting him into the clear,” Clark said. “I really liked the way he let down in the straight, he wanted to be a racehorse today.”
With this win, Decorum has improved his record to four victories from only six starts, bolstering Freedman’s confidence in mapping out the four-year-old’s spring campaign.
“I expected him to run very well, the only concern was the 1200m,” Freedman remarked. “But he was able to get the job done and he should only improve as he gets out over further.”
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