Lee Freedman may keep lower profile nowadays at his Gold Coast base compared to the heady Melbourne Cup and Golden Slipper winning times three decades ago, but the old magic returned with Encoder âs win in the three-year-old highlight of the Queensland Summer Carnival at Eagle Farm.
Encoder took out the $300,000 Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) with enough authority to convince connections of his staying potential.
Previously a winner over 1600-metres and 1680-metres in eight starts, managing owner David Azzopardi said that not only had Freedman set Encoder for this race but the plan to make more of a stayer of the son of Australian sire Encryption was all in the making of this event.
Encoder ($12), ridden by Damien Thornton, scored by a length-margin over Chris Wallerâs Kirikan ($6) with Imezaaki ($4.60) a 1½-lengths away in third.
Encoderâs last start outing saw him drop away late in the event to finish sixth in The Eagle Way (2000m) a fortnight earlier.
âIt is probably the first time today that he has had to tick a few boxes, this horse,â Thornton said.
âLast time he didnât like the (soft) track and you questioned whether he could stay, and he does.
âMeeting them at level weights also made the difference.
âLee had him set for this. It was his grand final and he was building really well after hitting a hurdle last time.â
Encoder was initially purchased at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale for $10,000 before Freedman played a part in buying the now gelding for $40,000 at the March Yearling Sale a year later.
Race favourite with wagering companies Felix The Scat ($2.90) finished sixth, five-lengths from the winner.
