Freedman's classy pair set sights on Sydney features

Mitch Freedman is yet to confirm Attrition's resumption at Rosehill this weekend, but a Sydney campaign later in the year is firmly on the agenda for the impressive galloper.

The Ballarat trainer has once again earmarked the Hill Stakes, to be run on October 10, as the primary spring target for the Group 1 victor.

The $2 million Group 2 Hill Stakes, contested over 1900m, saw Attrition claim victory in 2024, followed by a second placing to Lindermann the subsequent year.

"The Grand Final is the Hill Stakes again and whatever happens after that is a bonus," Freedman remarked.

"He's very similar to what he's been the last couple of seasons, but we've probably played around with his preparation a bit because we had longer to start at ground zero with him, so we've just been able to get a bit more work into him early on."

"Hopefully that mean it's pretty smooth sailing with him from the get-go."

In addition to the $200,000 Spring Preview (1400m) at Rosehill, Attrition holds a nomination for Saturday's $300,000 Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

He has not raced since finishing eleventh in the Carlyon Cup (1600m) on February 7, a run that followed his last-place finish first-up in the Barton Stakes (1400m).

"He wasn't showing us anything at home that would suggest that he wasn't going to run any good at the races, so it was a bit of a welcome relief when he had a bit of a virus coming out of that second run and it just gave us a reason why he might not have been at his best last prep," Freedman shared.

The path has not been entirely smooth for Freedman's other Rosehill nomination, Asakura, who became unwell after returning from his spell, having finished fourth in The Kiwi on March 7.

However, Freedman expressed satisfaction with the gelding's efforts in two jumpouts conducted in the latter half of July. Asakura, a Churchill colt like Attrition, will be afforded every opportunity to prove his credentials for a tilt at the $10 million Group 1 Golden Eagle (1500m) at Randwick on October 31.

"He's still a little bit immature, so anything he does over the next 12 months is a bonus and we'd be expecting him to improve as he gets older," Freedman commented.

"He's a nice horse and he's got ability so if he can't get it done this prep then we can certainly be happy that we've got a nice horse and look to improve in preps down the track."

Before his run in The Kiwi, Asakura secured second place behind Sixties in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m). His upcoming entries include the 1200m BM94 at Rosehill, the Group 3 Regal Roller Stakes (1200m), and the 1400m BM90 at Caulfield.

Freedman's other notable contender this weekend is Sharaz, who impressed with a debut victory at Bendigo. Sharaz is entered for the $200,000 Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m), though Freedman is contemplating a trial for the colt prior to his return to racing.

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