Mitchell Freedman’s Cox Plate dream is about to become reality.

The Ballarat trainer will send out Attrition in the 2040m Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday, hoping to secure an upset win against some of Australia’s elite weight-for-age runners.

Attrition shares the $34 quote with Light Infantry Man in the eight-horse Cox Plate field, led by defending champion Via Sistina at $2.20.

The six-year-old son of Churchill may not have the resume of the big guns, nor a win in the past year, but he’s been a model of consistency and earns his shot at the spotlight.

His lead-up form has been excellent — runner-up in the Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on October 11, a race he won last year, following a strong third behind Pride Of Jenni in the Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley.

“We always had it pencilled in that we would try and go to the race this year,” Freedman said.

“It’s been a dream to have a runner in the race, and we’ve shared that dream with the owners.

“He ran really well the last time, and he’s been in and around the mark at weight-for-age for a long time now and he deserves a crack at it.”

In the Hill Stakes, Kerrin McEvoy made a daring mid-race move that saw Attrition press forward after settling further back than intended, racing alongside the in-form Lindermann who went on to win.

“That was pretty bold by Kerrin McEvoy,” Freedman said.

“I don’t reckon there would have been too many riders do what he did. It was a bold move, it worked out well and he really stuck on and his work near the line was really super.

“I’ve been really happy with him since and we’re really looking forward to the Cox Plate.”

Craig Williams will take the reins for Saturday’s feature.

Punters can back their pick for the Cox Plate with top odds available through trusted Australian betting sites such as Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, and TAB.