From Kembla to Group 1 Glory? Attica ready for main stage

In a different world, emerging Godolphin colt Attica could be in the Cox Plate rather than the Spring Champion Stakes on Saturday.

When he arrived at Joe Pride’s stable as part of the Godolphin draft, the trainer thought – “what have we got here?”

“I’m not used to getting horses with big pedigree and looking like him,”  Pride said.

“He was one of the best maidens I got from them, so I put him in the Cox Plate at the start of the preparation.”

“That’s what I thought of him. I wouldn’t usually do that because it puts a bit of pressure on you.”

Only three runs into his career, Attica is ready to stamp Pride’s opinion of him with a Group 1 victory at Randwick on Saturday.

He won a city maiden before getting beaten at Kembla Grange, prompting the blinkers for the Dulcify Stakes when he put a gap in his rivals with a sizzling turn of foot.

He has had a barrier trial since, which has Pride confident ahead of the Spring Champion Stakes.

“The trial was super and has him perfectly placed for Saturday,” Pride said. “He is the first colt I have had for a Group 1, and I have felt he has this sort of ability.”

“The blinkers have certainly helped him focus and he showed it last time, but I think eventually he will not need them.”

“He is learning quickly, and the blinkers are playing a role, but I don’t think he will need them as he goes on, and he certainly won’t have them at the start of next preparation.”

“It would be nice to get the job done with him in the spring, but he is going to be better in the autumn for the Guineas and races like that.”

The Lonhro colt is part of a sharp team at the top end of racing for Pride, who had Ceolwulf win his second King Charles III Stakes on Saturday, while Private Eye won a Caulfield Group 3 with relative ease.

“He has been a great horse, Private Eye, and there are a couple of good options for him next,” Pride said. “I think the Russell Balding at 1300m is certainly there for him up there or the Orr Stakes at Group 1 level at Caulfield.”

“The Balding is worth about five-times as much as the Orr, so it might be the way to go.”

“’I’d love to take Ceolwulf to Flemington, give him a look, so it will either be the mile or 2000m.”