Race Result:

1st: Communist (M Freedman/Z Purton) - $16
2nd: Lindermann (C Waller/K McEvoy) - $16
3rd: Zou Tiger (J O'Shea/B Avdulla) - $4.20

Winning Time: 1:36.06 Last 600m: 35.64

Margins: 1¼L x ½L

 

A GROUP 1 DOUBLE FOR @ZPURTON!

Communist takes out the Group 1 Randwick Guineas for @MFreedmanRacing at double figures.

Zac's back, the King Of Randwick. pic.twitter.com/R6cM6ofdWQ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 4, 2023

Winning Trainer: Michael Freedman

On taking a sit and booking Purton for the ride: "It didn't really suit going to the front the other day in the Hobartville. 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."

On difficulties of training him: "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."

On possibly stepping up in trip and what's next: "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. 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 (Callander Presnell) in the spring. I think he's got a pretty good future."

Winning Jockey: Zac Purton

On the run: "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. 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."

On taking a sit as opposed to being on pace last start: "That was the instruction just to ride him a bit more conservatively and we were able to do it from that gate with the way the race was run. But it was good to get the result."

Beaten Jockeys:

Tim Clark (Manzoice): "I thought he warmed up nicely through the line. I think he will be on track for when the distances get a bit longer."

James McDonald (Aft Cabin): "He went really well. Just struggled to stay that trip."

Brenton Avdulla (Zou Tiger): "He ran really well. Tried his guts out. Had a lovely run in transit. Just probably finds the 1600m a fraction too far. He's a good quality colt."

Tom Sherry (Matcha Latte): "Got into a good position. Would have liked more momentum leading into the top of the straight. He ran ok."

Ryan Maloney (Williamsburg): "They probably went a bit too slow for him. When they sprinted they left him a bit flat-footed. The last furlong he really hit his straps so off to the Rosehill Guineas. Should be prominent in that."

Christian Reith (Promitto): "Disappointing again. Probably just hasn't come up this prep."

Kerrin McEvoy (Lindermann): "It was a fantastic run. He got into a nice rhythm, gave a good kick so he is only going to get better."

Rachel King (Hollywood Hero): "Good effort stepping up out of maiden grade. No doubt he'll improve whatever he does this prep into next prep."

Tyler Schiller (Cut On A Dime): "Big jump in class but I thought he handled himself really well. He's competitive there and a couple of runs in this grade will really bring him on."