Jockey Beau Mertens made the trip to Sydney for one ride at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, paying dividends in the form of Attrition claiming victory in the $2 million Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m).
The Mitchell Freedman-trained gelding made the trip to NSW after running last of four in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 27, with the son of Churchill finally getting out to a staying journey after racing over 1800m once in his 15-start career.
It proved a master stroke by Freedman as Attrition was suited by the Rosehill circuit, with Beau Mertens electing to sit on the hammer of well-supported favourite Royal Patronage every step of the way.
The pair were sent forward to hold the lead in the middle stages before giving a bold kick turning for home, with the Chris Waller-trained Kovalica putting in the big strides with 400m left to travel.
The outside appeared to be doing the better at the furlong pole; however, it was Attrition lifting off the canvas to career away with the prize to claim his first victory since securing Group 1 glory in the 2023 Toorak Handicap (1600m) 12 months ago.
Mitchell Freedman was on course to breakdown the winner and couldn’t have been happier to have the five-year-old back in the winners’ circle.
“It’s fantastic,” said Freedman.
“I think he was just a bit sick of chasing. He’s a five-year-old stallion now and I think he was just a bit sick of chasing and those faster tempos, he was just sick of it all. We just wanted to flow forward today.
“We wanted to do that last start but I just think it was just going to be all too much for him.
“We’ve always thought further than the mile was going to be his better trips but he’d been a bit weak to get there yet, so we bided our time, we’ve stuck it to him going into the Feehan at home with the work, and then we’ve just been able to train him nicely going into this run.
“Well done to Beau (Mertens), he followed him up here and it’s great to get the result.”
Beau Mertens was elated with the victory and was happy to keep the faith in Attrition despite going a year without a win.
“It’s been a long journey, obviously a year to the day winning the Toorak,” said Mertens.
“We’ve been on a ride.
“He’s been unbelievable for my career, this horse. I’ve stuck by him where he’s put in a few bad ones but I’ve always had faith that he could come back. And for him to do that, first time stepping up to 1900m, just unbelievable.
“He just jumped so well from the gates, I was able to take him across, he did no work, and I’m not going to lie, it turns a bit this track so I was getting a bit lost.
“But once he tracked up from the 600m on the bridle, I just knew he was going to be hard to catch.
“I’m just so happy for the horse, so happy for the team. It’s been a journey like I said. This ownership group, they’ve stuck by me the whole time with him and I couldn’t thank them enough.”
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