Mitch Freedman and Beau Mertens combined for their maiden Group 1 victories after engineering an upset result in a Toorak Handicap that could have severe ramifications for the spring ahead.
Attrition provided their young duo with their biggest thrills in racing when he held off Queensland raider Antino to score in the iconic 1600-metre event.
But as big a story was the disappointing performance of star WA mare Amelia’s Jewel, whose spring carnival is now up in the air after she could manage only ninth placing, beaten 5-1/2 lengths.
That was of little concern to Freedman, who has encountered some near misses in feature races with the star of his Ballarat stable and he was thrilled that he was the horse who provided him with his milestone success.
“I’ve had, I think, three seconds in Group Ones before today and it is so good to get over the line because we have been nutted a few times,” he said.
“We always knew he was up to the level. He was very disappointing last start but back to a handicap (and) aided by a brilliant ride by a jockey that is well and truly on the rise.
“How good?”
Attrition was expertly handled by Mertens, who set out after Amenable, wo had taken over from leader Pride Of Jenni soon after straightening, and had him covered at the 100m but then had to withstand a strong finish of Antino.
At the line Attrition ($26) held a short-head advantage over Antino ($5) with Banker’s Choice ($201) charging late to grab third, one length behind Antino.
For Mertens it was an emotional win, coming just months after the passing of his father Peter, himself a Group 1-winning jockey.
“I don’t really get emotional that often but obviously with Dad’s passing earlier in the year, all he wanted to do was see me ride a Group One winner,” Mertens said.
“To come out and do it this spring, unfortunately he can’t be here and I know he was riding with me every step of the way today.”
Damian Lane, who had ridden Amelia’s Jewel to her two Group 2 wins earlier in the campaign, said it was a head-scratching run given there was nothing obviously amiss with the four-year-old.
“She was clearly disappointing for no obvious reason as yet,” Lane said.
“She travelled great in the run but came off the bridle a bit down the side, which she did also last start but she picked up after that, which she didn’t do today.
“We’ll have to see how she pulls up and make an assessment from there.”
Amelia’s Jewel, who headed betting with bookmakers for both the Cox Plate and Golden Eagle before Saturday, is now a $13 chance in Cox Plate betting and an $8 chance in the Golden Eagle.
