Mitch Freedman had never lost the faith in Attrition’s ability and his judgment proved to be spot-on when he celebrated the anniversary of his Toorak Handicap win with a victory in the $2 million Group 2 Hill Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill. It was an ecstatic Freedman in the immediate aftermath of the victory in the $2 million race at Rosehill which was Attrition’s first win since he won the 2023 Group 1 Toorak Handicap. It was Attrition’s two runs earlier in the year which blotted his copybook, but Freedman explained he had some niggles which prevented him showing his best.
“The stable has never had a doubt we had back in form this preparation. His first-up run in Adelaide was great and things just haven’t worked out for him since racing against the best horses at his next two starts,” Freedman said. Freedman said that when he failed in his two runs earlier this year there were excuses.
“It’s like any athlete sometimes you have injuries and hiccups along the way and you just have to iron them out and then get them back into form and fit and well again,” he said. Freedman said as Attrition is a five-year-old stallion he had heard people question whether he still had the endeavour to race.
“I’ve never doubted that he has mind on the job. He’s a real competitor and I think he was just sick of getting back in the field and chasing the whole whole time,” he said.
“He’s a horse who likes to get up and be competitive, but it’s hard when you’re not drawing barriers and you can’t push forward early in the preparation as you could undo your good work.” Freedman was thrilled that Beau Mertens was again in the saddle as he was when Attrition provided both trainer and jockey their first Group 1 win a year ago in the Toorak Handicap.
“Beau has been doing a good job and he would follow the horse anywhere. He doesn’t owe us anything,” he said. It was Mertens’ only ride for the Rosehill meeting. Freedman said he would monitor Attrition’s condition when he returns from Sydney early in the week and nominated either the Crystal Vase (1600m) or the JRA Cup (2040m) at The Valley on Cox Plate Day as options. Attrition would then return to Rosehill and 1800m for another $2 million event, the Five Diamonds, which is restricted to five-year-olds on November 9.
