Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr’s star colt to make a Public statement in 2025 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday

Michael Kent Jr is confident Public Attention can deliver on his Group 1 potential this autumn as his eye-catching grey prepares to make a statement in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes.

Co-trainer Michael Kent Jr is confident Public Attention is ready to deliver on his Group 1 potential this autumn as his eye-catching grey prepares to make a fresh statement in the Group 3 $250,000 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.

Public Attention made a lasting first impression for Kent Jr and his co-trainer Mick Price during his debut preparation last spring with the stable thinking enough of the colt to test in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas at just his fourth start.

The classy three-year-old finished a creditable fifth in his major test before going for a well-earned break.

Kent Jr expects Public Attention can go to another level this time in as he sets his sights on another crack in the top grade in Sydney during the upcoming carnival.

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“He is a smart colt,” Kent Jr said.

“He is going really well. I think he achieved a lot last prep which was his first ever racing campaign.

“I am remember leaving the track at the Caulfield Guineas thinking he was the one in that race to have the most improvement.

“We were battling immaturity issues like touchy shins during the preparation but on the back of good spell he has really improved.”

WOW! 😮

Private Life wins the Caulfield Guineas at double figures & narrowly denies Feroce 👀 @[e-mail]/QA68lCIC8B

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 12, 2024

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Public Attention spelled at Coolmore’s Mt White Farm and has been in Sydney for the duration of his preparation at Price and Kent Jr’s Rosehill Gardens base.

The smart son of Written Tycoon has looked the part in both trials in the lead up with the stable hoping to use the race as a launching pad into Sydney’s autumn majors.

“We will use the Eskimo Prince as our kick off,” Kent Jr said.

“He will appear with blinkers for the first time after two smart trials.

“His initial target this autumn is the Randwick Guineas third up and we hope to go via the Hobartville Stakes.”

Public Attention is a $15 chance for the Randwick Guineas and is an $8 contender to return a winner in the Eskimo Prince with Chad Schofield aboard.

Unraced colt Banknote Hustler will give Price and Kent Jr the chance to chase a stakes double at Randwick when the son of Capitalist makes his debut in the Listed $200,000 Lonhro Plate (1000m).

Capitalist quinella with a couple of unraced babies.

1st - Red Hot Rosie (2f Capitalist Knockout Girl)
140k buy for Ed O'Rourke from @KenmoreLodge at @mmsnippets GC

2nd - Banknote Hustler (2c Capitalist x Torvill)
475k buy for @TFI_Racehorses & @MickPriceRacing from… pic.twitter.com/tVmom6R5Jr

— Breednet (@BreednetNews) January 23, 2025

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Banknote Hustler was snapped up for $475,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year and has done his best work late in both trials.

He is an $18 chance at his first start.

“The key is both trials he has been strong through the line,” Kent Jr said.

“The 1000m may be a little sharp for him on Saturday but it’s a nice kick off point and we will learn more about him.

“I am really looking forward to when we get him out to 1100m and 1200m but he is a nice enough colt and is pleasing everyone at home.

“I think we will learn a lot about him on Saturday.”

Imported stayers Lastotchka ($34) and Lordship ($61) are both in line to make their returns in the Fujitsu Airstage Open Handicap (1600m).

It’s been 459 days since Lastotchka was seen the races with the mare finishing 13th in the 2023 Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

It's been over 12 months since we've seen Lastotchka on the race track, but Michael Kent Jnr says she is going strong as she looks to make her return this autumn 💪@MickPriceRacingpic.twitter.com/KeK6KvPohi

— Racing.com (@Racing) January 29, 2025

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A bout of colic saw the mare miss the spring but Lastotchka has put the issue behind her.

“She is going really well but she is a bit burly,” Kent Jr said.

“We will get some miles in her legs on Saturday and we’ve got a big circle around the Sydney Cup with her.

If the track conditions suit, Lordship will return for his second Australian preparation off a lengthy spell.

“There are two types of imports, the ones that hit the ground running and go bang, bang and he is the latter type that can take 12 months to adjust,” Kent Jr said.

“He was a really big run last prep when he ran third behind Horrifying.

“Particularly with him early on in the campaign, we won’t start him on summer tracks.”

Keitel completes the Price and Kent Jr hand in the Mostyncopper Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m).

Originally published as Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr’s star colt to make a Public statement in 2025 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday