In a case of short-term pain for long-term gain, Michael Freedman has opted to pit Randwick Guineas winner Communist against weight-for-age superstar Anamoe in the George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill.
Freedman could have sent the three-year-old around against his own age group in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m), which is also on Saturday’s card, but chose the harder 1500m assignment with the bigger picture in mind.
“I think it’s probably the best lead-up for him to a Doncaster two weeks later, rather than trying to stretch him out to the 2000 of the Rosehill Guineas and then coming back to the mile,” Freedman said.
“I know Anamoe is going to be in the race and it will be an infinitely stronger race, but I feel it’s the right lead up to the Doncaster for him.”
After resuming with an encouraging third to Aft Cabin in the Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m), Communist disappointed when he found himself on-speed and weakened to finish unplaced in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m).
But with a quieter ride in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) he was back to his best, conserving his early energy and producing a withering finish to blouse his rivals.
Freedman says giving the gelding time to find his feet in a race is key.
“Definitely. It wasn’t through any fault of Jason (Collett’s) the way it panned out for him the start before, but leading like that is just totally upside down to what he really enjoys,” Freedman said.
“Riding him a bit more patiently and with a bit of cover, it just gives him the opportunity to have that turn of foot that he’s got.”
Communist will be among a trio of three-year-olds contesting Saturday’s George Ryder Stakes (1500m) along with Anamoe’s stablemate Golden Mile and Hobartville Stakes winner Osipenko.
Osipenko is looking to rebound off a setback after he was scratched from the Randwick Guineas due to an elevated temperature.
If he is competitive against the likes of Anamoe and his Chris Waller-trained stablemate Fangirl, he will earn a shot at the Doncaster Mile.
Pierro in 2013 is the last three-year-old to topple the older gallopers and win the George Ryder Stakes.