Pride plots path for Attica

Spring Champion Stakes hero Attica will not target the Australian Derby as Godolphin and trainer Joe Pride look to build his stallion profile in the autumn.

The Group 1 winning Lonhro colt will be back at the barrier trials on Friday and follow a similar path to the spring with the Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill on February 22 earmarked as his raceday return.

“I’m going to give him three barrier trials, like I did in the spring. They will all be at Warwick Farm, which will give him a good base for when he gets back to the races,” Pride said.

“He is going well and will have the first hit out on Friday, and then it will be January 22 and February 3.”

“He won’t be aiming at the Derby, as a Group 1 winner we want to try to win those stallion-making races.”

“It is exciting to put his program together. He will run in the Randwick Guineas and that will decide which way his preparation goes.”

“I think he could be a very good miler.”

“The Doncaster is obviously there for him and the Rosehill Guineas, if he can win a Group 1 mile it will make him more attractive as a stallion, which is what Godolphin want.”

Only Celestial Legend has completed the Randwick Guineas-Doncaster double, while The Autumn Sun, It’s A Dundeel and Metal Bender have won the Randwick-Rosehill Guineas double this century.

“I haven’t had many chances with an outstanding three-year-old like him. Looking at these races with Attica is exciting because he is lightly-raced and getting better,” Pride said.

“He was still very raw in the spring, and he has improved and matured, so I’m expecting him to measure against the best three-year-olds around.”

What a finish to the Moët & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes Day 🔥🔥🔥

Attica rattles home to run down Shangri La Boy in a thriller to the $2million Group 1 🤯@PrideRacing and Adam Hyeronimus grab another major pic.twitter.com/9fW9QadJzx

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 25, 2025