A confused Attractable has arrived in Melbourne ahead of his biggest challenge to date.
The Sara Ryan-trained galloper runs in the $4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday as a prelude to the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick next month.
Ryan explained Attractable has his feet taped when transported on race day, but when the gelding arrived at the Flemington stables of fellow NSW trainer Matthew Smith, Attractable was looking around wondering where the racetrack was.
“He’s one of those horses that as soon as you tape his feet, he thinks it’s race day,” Ryan said.
“He went into game mode and then it’s taken him 12 hours to get here, and he’s gone, ‘where’s the racetrack, where are we’.
“We pulled the tape of his feet and he’s not at a racecourse, and he’s looking around, ‘what am I doing here’.
“He has a routine, he loves his routine, and he knows what he’s doing.”
Attractable won The Big Dance at Randwick in November and ran second in the Group 2 Ingham Stakes (1600m) following that.
Ryan selected the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick next month as Attractable’s autumn goal and the trainer reasoned the All-Star Mile a good guide to that Randwick feature.
Mr Brightside ran fourth in the 2021 All-Star Mile before winning the Doncaster, while last year, the three placegetters at Randwick had all run in the All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley.
“The Doncaster is his Grand Final, but when I got the call-up to come down here, I couldn’t resist,” Ryan said.
“He’s been to Caulfield before when Peter Moody had him. He’s handled the track.
“I’ve got 30 boxes on course at Wyong, I have the property at Domeland, and then I’ve got my own place down at Jilliby.
“My horses move a lot. They get used to the truck and travelling, not 12 hours, and I’m a great believer in changing their routine up.
“The don’t get stale, you keep their minds fresh.
“He’s done the long trip up from Peter Moody before, without racing, and he handled this trip well.
“I’m not worried about the trip taking it out of him. Tomorrow, I’ll ride him and know where I’m at.”
Ryan said Saturday’s race will not be for the faint-hearted.
She said Attractable will make the opposition work from barrier two if they want to lead.
“Pride Of Jenni is in there and going to be a pest,” Ryan said.
“He’s a leader and with Pride Of Jenni and Buffalo River in the race, I’m not going to give it to them easy, but if they want to roar ahead, we will let them bowl along, if not, we’ll be happy to lead.”
