Winning Horse: Artorius (Aus)

2yoC Flying Artie (Aus) - Gracie's Lass (Aus)(Redoute's Choice (Aus))

2 starts - 1 wins 1 second $75050

Placings

2nd Geelong Bet365 Odds Protector Mdn 1135m (2021) (Debut Run)

Race Result:

1st: Artorius (Mark Zahra/Anthony & Sam Freedman) - $3.40F

2nd: El Rocko (Jamie Mott/John McArdle) - $16
3rd: Picarones (Damien Oliver/James Cummings) - $4.40

Winning Time: 1:17.90 Last 600m: N/A

Margins: 4½L x Nose

Winning Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman (Sam speaking)

“He took some necessary steps forward from his first-up run. He was very green and raw and didn’t know what he was doing. Most of our horses tend to improve as they get deeper into their two-year-old campaign so the 1300 metres suited. Initially the race was 1200 but we thought the 1300 would suit better.

“He showed a very good turn-of-foot there and it’s a credit to all the staff. Dad and I have been away for much of the New Year with the sales and everything and they’ve done a lot of the prepping with this horse so big credit to the team at home.

“He’s bombproof, he’s very straightforward. Almost a little bit too relaxed. First-up we say that he was on and off the bridle. So I think getting him to switch off a little more and some competitive gallops in between runs, just teaching him what it’s all about to hit the front and stay in front, he had a good gaze there.

“He’ll take some improvement from that. We’ll just have to work out where we go. Whether we head towards a Blue Diamond, I’m not sure about the 1200 metres. He might be more of a 1400 metres horse. He won so well there so we might have to give it some thought.”

Winning Jockey: Mark Zahra

“He was very impressive. Bit messy early, obviously had to go back from a wide draw so just needed a bit of a cart into the race which I found we got about the 800 (metre mark). I didn’t think they’d gone that quick so I just wanted for him to be not too far off. Sam said, and watching his last start and today, he’s quite dumb.

“Usually I wait a bit longer but with a dumb horse I really wanted to stand over him and make him go. I went for him and he let rip alright.

“(This was) my first time on his back today. Just getting a small guide going to the gates and watching his last run. He’s quite dumb, had a real look around. Not quite colty but just laid back and that. When I went for him I wanted to stand over him.”

Does he want further as a two-year-old: “Yes for sure. The way he put them away over 1300 metres, and was out by himself a fair way out from the line is a horse with a future who can handle a step up in trip.”