A welcome back to Sydney for Zac Purton, who weaved his magic on the hugely talented, though often frustrating, Artorius in Saturday’s Group 1 Furphy Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick.
Settled back worse than midfield, Artorius was strung up between runners but received a charmed run through the pack.
The champion New Zealander Imperatriz looked to have the race in her keeping before Artorius launched late.
The son of Flying Artie defeated Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) by a head with Electric Girl (Declaration Of War) three-quarters of a length back in third.
It was the first win for Artorius since defeating Ingratiating and Anamoe in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes two years ago.
Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Artorius races for a syndicate headed by Newgate Bloodstock, Newgate SF, Horse Ventures, China Horse Club Racing, and Go Bloodstock.
The 4yo entire returned from a three-month working holiday in Europe, where he placed in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and July Cup at Newmarket before finishing sixth in the Group 1 Maurice De Gheest at Deauville.
Anthony Freedman said consideration will be given to a start in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes.
“He came home and wasn’t doing that great,” Freedman revealed.
“Just the last three or four weeks, we’ve been really happy with him, and he turned up in great order today.
“We changed a few things, and learned to keep him active before the race because he just sort of falls asleep. Zac did that very well today, he was just that two or three lengths closer.
“Zac is a world-class jockey. I didn’t give him too many instructions. Most of the instructions were pre-race, keep him moving, keep him active. Don’t just walk around in circles as he falls asleep. The start is everything to this horse; if he starts you can win.”
Zac Purton said it was a dream return, and everything fell into place.
“It felt good. I just had to wait a little bit for the right opportunity,” he said.
“Nash (Rawiller on Golden Mile) held up behind James (McDonald) on Imperatriz) and I was hoping to get going a little bit earlier. But when he came out, it allowed me to go inside him and get on the back of the favourite. The last 150m he launched, he just jumped out of the ground.
“He’s just a bit tricky, he comes with a little bit of baggage, but he’s obviously very talented.”
From the first crop of Newgate Farm’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Flying Artie, Artorius advances his record to three wins, three seconds, and four thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $2,074,462.
Bred by Greg Perry, Artorius was a $120,000 purchase for Anthony Freedman Racing/Blue Sky Bloodstock P/L (FBAA) from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the unraced Redoute's Choice mare Gracie's Lass, a half-sister to the Group 1 VRC Darley Classic winner Delectation (Shamardal).
Gracie’s Lass is out of the stakes-winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Grace And Power (USA).
Runner-up in the Grade 1 Hollywood Park Starlet Stakes, Grace And Power was a $700,000 purchase for the late Steve Brem on behalf of Perry at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton January Mixed Sale.
Tom Magnier shelled out $1,400,000 for a Written Tycoon half-brother to Artorius from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. He has been named Oistrach and is in training with Chris Waller.
After foaling a brother to Artorius last spring, Gracie’s Lass was covered by Home Affairs.
