Joe Pride maintains that early wagering lines are inaccurate, framing the Randwick Guineas as a two-horse race pitting his Group One hero Attica versus the Caulfield Guineas conqueror Autumn Boy.

During the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) in their return, both horses mirrored each other’s endeavors from the rear group, Autumn Boy rallying along the fence for second to Ninja while Attica finished fourth nearer the inside path.

Nevertheless, after drawing the extreme outside slot in acceptances released Wednesday, layers drifted the Godolphin colt Attica to $10, with Chris Waller’s Autumn Boy staying firm at $2.50 ahead of the market, just shading Sheza Alibi ($2.60) from Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.

“I can’t line Peter Moody’s filly up, and that’s not to say she’s not a chance. I’m just struggling to line her up,” Pride said.

“But I would have thought Autumn Boy or Attica will be winning the Randwick Guineas.

“I think my boy will, but I’m not going to take Chris’ horse for granted because he is a good colt.”

Attica has demonstrated suitability for the Randwick mile, capturing the Dulcify Stakes at the Guineas configuration prior to his Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) success.

The trainer has expressed satisfaction across the Godolphin colt’s entire lead-up, highlighting a flawless progression as essential for top-tier victories.

“It has all gone exactly to the script I have wanted it to, and generally when you look back and you’ve won a Group One, you look back at the preparation and go, ‘well it just all went to plan, didn’t it,'” Pride said.

“We’re not there yet, but that’s the way it has felt this preparation.

“Every step of the way he has met the markers I have wanted him to be at, and that makes his job easier because it’s uninterrupted.”

Even with hopes for an inside draw dashed, Attica takes on merely eight challengers in the Randwick Guineas (1600m), including Sheza Alibi in gate two and Autumn Boy in three next door.

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