An invitation to contest the All-Star Mile will be up for grabs for six of the runners in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.
With Mr Brightside and Buffalo River already given invites into the All-Star Mile at Caulfield on March 16, the remaining six horses will vie for a ‘wildcard’ in Saturday’s 1400m Group 1 event.
Even if Mr Brightside and Buffalo River finish one-two, the third horse across the line will be offered a start in the $4 million race in three weeks’ time.
The Mitch Freedman-trained Attrition has had the All-Star Mile pencilled in as a potential race after he has his first-up run on Saturday.
Freedman erred on the side of caution in bypassing a gruelling C F Orr Stakes (1400m) on February 10, preferring to get some more work into entire.
Attrition won an Ararat jump-out on February 12 and had his last serious piece of work ahead of Saturday’s race with a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday.
“It was hot run race and a hard run race (Orr Stakes), and we thought for our planning it was better to wait for Saturday,” Freedman said.
“We could be right, or we could be wrong, but we thought with a bit more fitness under our belt before we expose him to the pressures of race day and for the rest of the prep, we thought it better to run him first-up in the Futurity.”
Freedman said the All-Star Mile had been discussed, especially with the $4 million prize money on offer after Attrition missed out on running in the Golden Eagle in Sydney in the spring.
“We’ve pencilled it in and his record at the mile is very good and it could suit him three weeks after his first-up run,” Freedman said.
Attrition ended his last campaign taking out the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) in October.
Freedman said the entire had grown and strengthen during his late spring and early summer break and was ready for the rigours of weight-for-age racing.
However, he said Attrition may only have a three or four run campaign then prepare for the spring.
“He’s come back bigger and stronger this time around which bodes well,” Freedman said.
“He’s holding his condition a bit better, and he’s probably been a bit better in the feed bin as well.
“He wasn’t far off them at weight-for-age last time around in a strong P B Lawrence and a little bit softer Feehan, so I think he’s up to that level.
“With a bit more strength on his side and maturity, he might be a bit of a force at weight-for-age.”
