Trainer Mitch Freedman harbours ambitions of etching his name into the annals of racing history by winning the prestigious Cox Plate, a race that represents the pinnacle of weight-for-age racing.
This year’s edition of the Cox Plate (2040m), scheduled for Saturday, will unfold in an unfamiliar setting, shifting away from the intense atmosphere of Moonee Valley.
Due to ongoing renovations at Moonee Valley, Flemington will host the event, marking a significant departure from its previous 105 runnings.
However, this change in venue does not faze Freedman, who is set to saddle the in-form galloper Attrition. Currently a $51 outsider, Attrition recently secured a second Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill in his latest performance.
Across his 33 career starts, which have yielded five victories and accumulated nearly $4.4 million in prize money, Attrition has largely competed under the radar.
He demonstrated his class as a three-year-old when narrowly defeated in the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington and also boasts a win in the Toorak Handicap (1600m).
Freedman believes the now seven-year-old gelding is performing at a superior level this year compared to his fourth-place finish in last year’s Cox Plate, where he finished ahead of 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 said.
“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.”
While Attrition is yet to record a win at Flemington, it’s worth noting he had not previously won at Moonee Valley either.
In addition to his placing in the Guineas, Attrition has also secured a second-place finish 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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