Attrition set to contest Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley

After a gallop at Moonee Valley, trainer Mitch Freedman is content with how Attrition is tracking in the early stages of the spring.

Attrition heads to the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday as Freedman plots a spring path for the four-year-old.

Freedman has the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield next month in his sights for Attrition who returned from a break to finish fifth in the Group 2 P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 19.

That race had the desired effect for Freedman.

It added to the fitness levels of Attrition, but he also rose slightly in the ratings to 98, which Freedman said should almost guarantee the four-year-old a Toorak start.

“There’s a number of different paths that he could take,” Freedman said.

“We think the ideal race for him is the Toorak Handicap, but how we get there, we will map that out after he runs on Saturday.

“He’s a 98-rater now and every other year I think he would have been right to get in and I don’t see that being any different this time.

“They gave him a few points the other day for his run in the P B Lawrence, so he should be right.”

Attrition has risen quickly through the ranks and will be having just his eighth start on Saturday.

He closed out his three-year-old year running second to Legarto in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.

After that outing, Freedman took the opportunity to give Attrition a look at the Moonee Valley track with the idea of starting in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m).

But he resisted the temptation to run that day and decided on another look at The Valley on Tuesday morning in preparation for Saturday’s contest.

“He’s bright and well within himself. His action looks great, and he’s done everything we need him to do at home,” Freedman said.

“The way he stretched out up the straight, he was impressive to my eye.

“I think he’s ready to run well again on Saturday.”