Young trainer Mitchell Freedman declared ‘it’s what you do it for’ as tough campaigner Attrition wore down fellow war horse Lindermann to capture his second victory in the $2 million Hill Stakes.
Attrition won the Group 2 feature in 2024 before finishing runner-up to Lindermann 12 months ago, but it was the former who got his name on the honour roll a second time when they renewed their rivalry at Rosehill on Saturday.
In a thrilling finish, Attrition ($6) ridden by Jamie Mott overhauled Nash Rawiller on Lindermann ($1.70 fav) in the final bounds to score by a half-neck with Eliyass ($9) another three-quarters of a length away third.
“If there is any vision of me jumping up and down, I might win the vertical leap at the AFL draft if they want to put me in after that,” a jubilant Freedman quipped.
“It was obviously a really competitive race up there on speed. The first three in running were first three across the line.
“Nash rated his horse to perfection, Jamie Mott pulled out at the right time, and it was a good dual the last fifty metres.
“When they went past me, I could see him start to put his head in front and it’s such a good feeling. These are the things you soak up. It’s what you do it for, and we’ll certainly enjoy it.”
Freedman trains a small string at Ballarat in Victoria and based Attrition’s preparation around arriving at the Hill Stakes (1900m) fourth-up, as he has for the past two renewals.
The horse has now won five of his 33 starts and placed another 10 times with Saturday’s victory pushing his prizemoney to over $5.5 million.
Freedman said he’d been an incredible horse for his stable and saw no reason he couldn’t return for an attempt at a three-peat next year.
“We’ll mark it in the calendar, mark it as the fourth-up run, and do our best,” he said.
“It’s not too many times he’s out of that weight-for-age level and he keeps showing up. He’s a beautiful, sound horse. He’s got the best temperament that you’ll ever come across and he’s a much loved member of our team, that’s for sure.”
