Sydney three year old Attention is set to back up in the Group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday with Hong Kong based jockey Brett Prebble booked to ride.
Jockey Brett Prebble will ride Attention, above, in the Australian Guineas at Flemington. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Attention finished a gallant fourth against the older horses at weight for age behind Black Heart Bart, Tosen Stardom and Ecuador in the Group 1 $500,000 italktravel Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield last Saturday.
Owners James Harron Bloodstock confirmed today by twitter and facebook that Prebble would be in the saddle this week replacing Blake Shinn and the 2012 Melbourne Cup winning jockey will be chasing his second Australian Guineas win in three years after steering Wandjina to an all the way win for Gai Waterhouse two years ago.
James Harron Bloodstock released the following statement on their facebook page.
“After a superb run in the WFA Group 1 Futurity Stakes when beaten less than a length by some of the best WFA horses in Australia, dual Group winning colt Attention will be partnered by leading Hong Kong based jockey Brett Prebble when backing up in the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington this Saturday.”
“James Harron Bllodstock have already tasted success under similar circumstances, with Prebble coming over to partner Wandjina for Edmund and Belinda Bateman in 2015, a union which resulted in Prebble executing a superb front running ride, using Wandjina’s great strength to bring home the victory.”
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Attention has won two of his ten race starts, both at Stakes level in the Group 3 $150,000 The Schweppervescence (1400m) at Rosehill during the 2016 Sydney Autumn Carnival and in the Group 2 $250,000 Mitavite BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) at Doomben three starts later during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
Attention was having his third run back from a spell when fourth in the Futurity Stakes which followed a first up fifth to Music Magnate in the Group 2 $200,000 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on January 28 before running second to Australian Guineas rival Oak Door in the Group 2 $200,000 Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 11.
The Tony McEvoy trained Hey Doc heads the betting for the Australian Guineas at $4 at Ladbrokes.com.au while Attention is at the double figure odds of $17 alongside of the Team Hawkes trained Inference, Victoria Derby winner Prized Icon and last start Autumn Stakes victor Oak Door.
Early market order for the Australian Guineas at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 Hey Doc, $9 Morton’s Fork, $10 Land Of Plenty, Seaburge, $11 Divine Prophet, $13 Comin’ Through, Fuhryk, Harlow Gold, Theanswermyfriend, $17 Attention, Inference, Oak Door, Prized Icon, $19 So Si Bon, $21 Acatour, Foxplay, Ruthven, Throssell, $26 or better the rest.
