Attrition to bypass G1 Memsie Stakes

Trainer Mitch Freedman has made the tactical decision to steer his horse, Attrition, away from Saturday’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes, instead setting sights on the Feehan Stakes.
“We just thought three weeks after that hard first-up run probably would suit him better.” Freedman told Racing.com.
This realignment aims to set Attrition up for the Toorak Handicap as the main mission for this spring racing season.
Despite a fifth-place finish in the PB Lawrence Stakes, Freedman remains optimistic about the horse’s potential.
Attrition needs to “gain a bit more race experience,” Freedman noted.
The trainer was particularly impressed by the horse’s recent performance.
“I thought he was terrific, caught out on a limb… he really stuck his head out and was in for the fight.” Freedman said.
Freedman is also considering the Cox Plate as an option if Attrition performs well in the upcoming $500,000 G2 contest.
Attrition is currently listed as a $17 shot with boombet for the Toorak and $26 for the Cox Plate, the future looks promising for this Australian Guineas runner-up.
Ben Melham is expected to keep the mount, and Attrition will face off against horses like Aegon, Globe, and Goldman in a 1600-meter race next weekend.
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