Wide gate gives trainer and jockey something to think ahead of Group 1
Joe Pride is much happier with Attica's condition than he is with the barrier he drew in this Saturday's $2 million Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick.
The colt was allocated gate 13 when starting positions were determined but will come into 12 if the emergency Pinot Nero fails to gain a start in the field of 14.
Attica swept home from last to win the Listed Dulcify Stakes (1600m) last start, but Pride is not committed to employing similar tactics in Attica's Grand Final and conceded he and jockey Adam Hyeronimus have some thinking to do ahead of the 2000-metre Group 1.
"The horse is great, I'm very happy with him," he said.
"It's not the best barrier, is it? (It's a) tricky start.
"It's just getting the ride right and I think this is probably a classic case of why they shouldn't have change of tactics rules, to be honest."
Attica was favourite before the Spring Champion Stakes draw, but has been overtaken by Shangri La Boy, who came up with gate two.
The Dulcify Stakes win was Attica's second win from three starts, having finished second at the other outing and Pride is excited about getting the Godolphin colt into a Group 1 race as a leading chance in his preparation for the stable.
"They've been really good, I keep them across what's going on, they've got some really good minds in that business behind the scenes and we lean on them, so it's been good," Pride said of his relationship with Sheikh Mohammed's operation.
"It's great support from one of the biggest owners in the world.
"I'm very happy with it, it's going well so far, we've been handed some handy horses and getting some good results with them, which is good."
By Sheikh Mohammed's former Australian Champion Sire award winner Lonhro, Attica is the first foal from the classy former Godolphin mare Savatiano.
Pride is hoping he can emulate now-stablemate El Castello, who won last year's Spring Champion Stakes and will accompany him to the races on Saturday.
El Castello will back-up in the $750,000 Group 3 Craven Plate (1800m), having finished 11th in the Epsom Handicap and 10th in the King Charles III Stakes at his past two and Pride is counting on backing up with blinkers off down in grade will bring out an improved performance.
"I'm turning him around quick, which I'm hoping will bring out something a bit better in him than what he's been doing and I took the blinkers off because Adam (Hyeronimus) thought he went a bit hard in them the other day," Pride said.
Chad Schofield, who won the King Charles III Stakes aboard the Pride-trained Ceolwulf, will ride El Castello in the Craven Plate with the pair to jump from the inside barrier in the field of eight.
