Attrition primed for battle with Mr Brightside in Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield

Ballarat trainer Mitch Freedman will start Attrition’s autumn campaign at the scene of his biggest triumph in racing in Saturday’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

Attrition gave trainer Mitch Freedman his biggest career win in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield last spring. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

The waiting game could produce a massive payday for Ballarat trainer Mitch Freedman in Saturday’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

Attrition gave Freedman his maiden Group 1 win in the Toorak Handicap in the spring but the stallion’s preparation ended on a disappointing note after a minor issue prevented him from running in the $10m Golden Eagle in Sydney.

Freedman entered Attrition for the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes earlier this month but the trainer decided to delay the four-year-old’s return to racing.

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“We just thought we needed a little bit more fitness under our belt before we expose him to the pressures of race day,” Freedman said.

“For the rest of the prep, we thought it would be better to run him first-up in the Futurity.

“We just thought, for our planning, that it was better to wait for Saturday.

“We’ll see how it goes on Saturday. We could be right or we could be wrong.”

Attrition will take on the C.F. Orr Stakes winner Mr Brightside in Saturday’s $750,000 event.

But the Futurity Stakes could be run in a gentler manner than the brutally-run Orr Stakes in the absence of bold frontrunning mare Pride Of Jenni.

Trainer Mitch Freedman took stable star Attrition to Caulfield for a gallop on Tuesday morning to prepare him for Saturday’s Futurity Stakes. Picture: Getty Images

Attrition improved to win an Ararat jumpout on February 12 and enjoyed a look at Caulfield on Tuesday morning.

Freedman said those outings have left Attrition in top condition for his Futurity Stakes test.

“He should be ready to rock and roll,” Freedman said.

“I can’t fault the horse. He looks in for a really good prep.”

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Freedman said Attrition’s Futurity Stakes performance would determine whether the son of Churchill tackled the All-Star Mile, which will be run over the Toorak Handicap course, on March 16.

He added Attrition would have “three or four” runs in an autumn campaign that could also take in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile in Sydney if conditions permit.

Winning the Futurity Stakes would earn Attrition an All-Star Mile spot as would running second if confirmed runner Mr Brightside won on Saturday.

“We’ll give him the chance to get into the (All-Star Mile) himself,” Freedman said.

“We’ll see how he goes Saturday and how he comes through it, then make a plan whether he goes to it or not.

“We missed out on the chance to race for a lot of money in Sydney at the end of last prep and his record at the mile is very good.”

Ben Melham will ride Attrition, who is a $9 chance in TAB’s Futurity Stakes market.

Originally published as Attrition primed for battle with Mr Brightside in Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield