Attrition resumes in Saturday’s Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, with trainer Mitchell Freedman declaring the six-year-old in the best shape of his career.

While the 1400m trip is at the shorter end of his range, Freedman is buoyed by a strong build-up following a proper spell.

“I’ve never had him looking this good going into a first-up run,” he said. “He prefers it dry, but a little bit of cut out of the ground is not going to hurt him.”

Attrition’s spring targets include a return to Sydney for the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m), which he won last year before a luckless fourth in the Five Diamonds (1800m).

Freedman hinted at bigger ambitions later in the spring if form warrants.

Regular partner Beau Mertens takes the ride, having steered him to Group 1 Toorak Handicap glory last year.