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 Waller's Kirikan ($6) with Imezaaki ($4.60) a 1½-lengths away in third.
Encoder's last start outing saw him drop away late in the event to finish sixth in The Eagle Way (2000m) a fortnight earlier.
"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 March Yearling Sale a year later.
Race favourite Felix The Scat ($2.90) finished sixth, five-lengths from the winner.