Trainer Michael Freedman has highlighted the Epsom Handicap and the Golden Eagle as potential spring carnival objectives for the promising Decorum, following the gelding’s impressive return to racing at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
These Group 1 targets might seem ambitious for a four-year-old still competing in restricted grade, but Decorum’s decisive victory in the TAB Handicap (1200m) was indicative of a horse possessing significant potential.
Decorum was positioned deep in the field approaching the turn, but jockey Tim Clark’s skillful navigation found clear galloping room in the centre of the straight, and the gelding went on to win.
“I’ve always felt he was a horse with a lot of ability,” Freedman said. “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, powered home to win by over two lengths from Unleeshing ($15), with Off The Press ($15) a further length back in third.
Clark noted that Decorum had shaped promisingly in both trials, leading him to be quietly confident heading into the race.
“I thought he was the best horse in the race and it was just a matter of getting him into the clear,” Clark stated. “I really liked the way he let down in the straight, he wanted to be a racehorse today.”
Decorum’s win improved his record to four victories from six starts, giving Freedman the confidence to plan 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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