Godolphin made the significant call to geld Tom Kitten after he had already won a Group 1 race, a decision that proved astute not only for his subsequent performances but also for establishing a successful precedent.
Jason Walsh, the racing and bloodstock manager for Godolphin, revealed that their experience with the two-time All-Star Mile winner provided them with the confidence to pursue a similar strategy for the Joe Pride-trained Attica. Attica, like Tom Kitten, was a colt when he captured the Spring Champion Stakes, but he reached a career crossroads when struggling to replicate that form in the autumn.
“It’s an interesting comparison,” Walsh commented.
“We took the decision to geld him (Attica) in the hope he’d make into a Tom Kitten, a subsequent weight-for-age gelding hopefully winning more Group Ones along the way. He’s obviously got that yet to do.
“They’re hard decisions for our operation to geld Group One winners.
“But from the day he’s come in this time as a gelding, Joe has said he carries himself differently. He’s sharper. He’s trialled like that, and he’s jumping from the machines better.”
The parallels between the two horses are so pronounced that Tom Kitten and Attica are being aimed at the same race – Saturday’s Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.
Tom Kitten will be looking to bounce back from two unplaced runs in Melbourne, which Walsh stated had genuine excuses. Attica, on the other hand, arrives with strong form references. Despite not being fully focused on racing last campaign, he finished third behind Sheza Alibi and Autumn Boy in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) over the Epsom’s course and distance. He has been building form nicely in two recent starts, the latest being an eye-catching third in the Tramway Stakes (1400m).
Attica also benefits from a favourable weight, carrying just 51.5kg.
“He’s got the perfect profile to show up with that sort of weight here,” Walsh remarked.
“His form around Autumn Boy, who’s race favourite, is pretty good, and he’s got enough weight differential to say we’re looking forward to competing from a good draw.”
In a clear sign of intent, trainer Joe Pride has put blinkers back on Attica, a gear he was reacquainted with during a recent barrier trial with jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
“They’re on. Joe was keen to trial him and give Kerrin the chance to feel him in them, and both came away from that morning very pleased,” Walsh said.
“He probably needs a little bit of help when the pressure goes on in a race to find top gear as quick as he can. But he’s won some very big races in them in the past, he comes back as a gelding, and we’ve set him up with this race in mind.”
Godolphin has a successful history in the Epsom Handicap, having claimed victory in two of the past 10 renewals with Hartnell (2018) and Hauraki (2016).
The Epsom Handicap is shaping up to be an exciting contest, and punters can get involved by checking out the latest racing odds on Australian betting sites.
