Attica breaks out to win Australia’s Group 1 Spring Champion
He was dealt a blow with the wide post draw, but Joe Pride-trained Attica defied that with aplomb Saturday to win the Group 1, US$1.3 million Spring Champion Stakes for 3-year-olds going 1 1/4 miles on the turf at Royal Randwick in Sydney.
It was perfectly timed ride by jockey Adam Hyeronimus on 3-1 Attica to overhaul 2-1 betting favorite Shangri La Boy by a short neck with 20-1 The Pearls a farther 2 1/2 lengths back in third place. Early leader and 200-1 long shot Tambeloa held on to fourth.
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Remarkably, the victorious colt by Lonhro began his racing career only at the beginning of September and already has picked up a Group 1 trophy in just his fourth race start.
Pride was in awe of his 3-year-old and believes there are better things in store for the Godolphin galloper.
“Spring Champion is a very nice race, a Group 1, but there’s still a lot to be done with this horse,” Pride said. “Bear in mind it’s his first preparation, the manner of that win I thought he had too much to do at the (eighth pole) chasing the favorite, but just the way he pinned his ears back and attacked the line, (1 1/4 miles), no problem.”
Hyeronimus, who had also piloted the runner-up to victory in his last two outings, rode Shangri La Boy in training this week and was wary of his ability.
“I didn’t know if Adrian (Bott) was trying to play mind games with me, but I galloped (Shangri La Boy) through the week, and I know how good he is going,” Hyeronimus said. “To my horse’s credit, he was always picking him up. The final 150 meters I had them covered, and he was too strong late.”
Pride confirmed Attica would be given a break with bigger fish to fry next year.
“He’ll go straight to the (farm) now. He’s just a really exciting horse,” Pride said. “It would be nice to see if we can get him a bit sharper in the (southern) autumn and aim up at races like the Randwick Guineas (G1), but we'll worry about all of that later on.”
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