Group 1 Northerly Stakes contender Attrition thriving with time and travel

Group 1 winner Attrition is on track to cap a lucrative campaign on Saturday in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot.

Attrition won the Hill Stakes two starts back in Sydney. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images.

Group 1 winner Attrition is on track to cap a lucrative campaign on Saturday in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot.

The meticulously-placed Mitch Freedman-trained equine prize fighter is set to race in a fourth state in as many months and is a $4.20 favourite with Ladbrokes for the weight-for-age feature.

“He’s seemed to thrive on the travel the whole preparation,” Freedman said.

“I know he’s done a few trips now but it doesn’t seem to be affecting him, he’s really bright and well.”

The 2023 Toorak Handicap winner has raced in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney in the past five starts.

He claimed the rich Group 2 Hill Stakes, worth $1.15 million to the winner, two starts back and then finished fourth in the Five Diamonds (1800m) in Sydney last month, beaten 1-1/2 lengths.

Attrition takes the G2 Hill Stakes in fine style!@Freedmanmitch | @beau_mertens | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/6OAKhuMgTy

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 12, 2024

“You’d expect if he brings those two Sydney runs, the form that he’s in there, you’d think would look good in a race like the Northerly,” Freedman said.

Attrition has enjoyed a month between runs to target the Northerly Stakes, with a trial in between.

He finished five lengths behind WA sprinter Ripcord in the slick 1000m hit out a fortnight ago.

“He’s (Attrition) a horse genuinely looking for 1800m or 2000m and got the freshness out of his legs,” Freedman said.

“His sectionals were really good and we’re really happy with the way he came through it.”

Attrition will have a short break after Saturday before the quick turnaround to the autumn.

Attrition edged out Antino in the Toorak Handicap last year. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images.

“I don’t think he needs (a lot of time off) just lighten the workload a bit, probably now he’s a bit older he tends to hold his condition a bit better,” Freedman said.

“We don’t want him going out and getting heavy and trying to build him back up (fitness) off that, although he’s had six runs they’ve all been pretty spaced.

“He won’t be going out (for a spell) at the bottom (of the tank) regardless so he won’t need long (in the paddock).”

The Australian Cup (2000m) in late March at Flemington could be an option for the five-year-old entire by Churchill.

“No set plans yet, although we won at the 1900m we probably want to step out to the 2000m at some point in time shortly and we may even look at creeping him out even further,” Freedman said.

“He doesn’t like wet ground so you got to be a little bit wary of that, we’ll just place him as we see fit.”

Originally published as Group 1 Northerly Stakes contender Attrition thriving with time and travel