Hall of Fame trainer Lee Freedman may keep a lower profile nowadays at his Gold Coast base but some of the old magic returned with Encoder's win in the Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Encoder ($12), ridden by Damien Thornton, scored by a length over Chris Waller's Kirikan ($6) with Imezaaki ($4.60) 1-1/2 lengths away third in the $300,000 Group 3 contest over 2100m.
Encoder's last outing saw him drop away late in the race to finish sixth in The Eagle Way (2000m).
"It is probably the first time today that he has had to tick a few boxes, this horse," Thornton said.
"Last time he didn't like the (soft) track and you questioned whether he could stay, and he does.
"Meeting them at level weights also made the difference.
"Lee had him set for this. It was his grand final and he was building really well after hitting a hurdle last time."
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 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale a year later.