Trainer Mitch Freedman is keen to add a Cox Plate victory to his resume, viewing it as the ultimate achievement in weight-for-age racing.
This year’s Cox Plate (2040m), to be held on Saturday, will deviate from its traditional setting at the intensely atmospheric Moonee Valley.
The race is relocating to Flemington due to Moonee Valley’s ongoing reconstruction, promising a notably different spectacle compared to its previous 105 runnings.
Freedman, however, is unfazed by the change of scenery as he prepares the in-form gelding Attrition, a $51 chance, who most recently triumphed in the second Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill.
With five wins and close to $4.4 million in earnings from 33 starts, Attrition has often been an overlooked contender.
He was narrowly defeated in the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington as a three-year-old and also secured a win in the Toorak Handicap (1600m).
Freedman believes the seven-year-old is performing better this year than when he finished fourth in last year’s Cox Plate, trailing Light Infantry Man and Aeliana.
“Everything he’s doing, whether that’s the feel he’s giving us under saddle, or whether it be the run in the Hill Stakes, says he is,” Freedman explained.
“The data we are seeing comparable to his gallops last year, he’s in such a better spot.
“Some of the horses that he beat home last year are significantly shorter in the market, so he’s a good roughie for the punters out there.”
Despite Attrition’s lack of a win at Flemington, it’s worth noting he also had not won at Moonee Valley prior to his previous Cox Plate appearance.
In addition to his Australian Guineas second, Attrition has also placed second in a Blamey Stakes.
“He was narrowly beaten in an Australian Guineas, and he’s had a few other hard luck stories when he’s gone around at Flemington and hasn’t quite had things in his favour,” Freedman said.
“We’re hoping that he will get that from the good draw on Saturday and when it’s really time to put your hand up, he’s one of them.
“He’s handled high-tempo races in the past and the spot he’s in at the moment, he sets himself up well to handle it.
“It is the stuff you dream of racing in the Cox Plate and we’re certainly coming off a long run up competing against some of these stables and horses, but he’s in great shape and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
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