A trip to Sydney has paid immediate dividends for Public Attention ($4.80), with the Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained colt producing a dominant first-up victory in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon.
The son of Written Tycoon had been trialing in Sydney in preparation for this first-up assignment, putting the writing on the wall in a recent barrier trial success at Warwick Farm on January 30.
There was a wealth of support pre-race with horse racing bookmakers to suggest he was ready to produce on resumption, and he didn’t let the punters down thanks to a perfect ride by Chad Schofield, as he sat to the outside of Linebacker ($4.80) as the pair led out at a moderate tempo.
It left the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Mayfair ($7.00) to sit wide without cover, while Gatsby’s ($4.20) and Snow In May ($4.00) were stalking from worse than midfield turning for home.
The leading duo gave a strong kick in the concluding stages and sat down to fight out the finish, with Public Attention getting the upper hand in the final furlong to claim his second victory at start five.
Mick Price was on track at Randwick to speak post-race and suggested the traditional Hobartville/Randwick Guineas path would be on the agenda.
“Well, I’ve said to the Coolmore boys that he’s a better physical horse this time in,” said Price.
“We were nursing a little bit of shin soreness after each run last time in, even after the Caulfield Guineas where he did have every chance, he still pulled up like an immature three-year-old.
“We did our best with him last preparation, but he’s a better horse this time in and you saw the benefit of that.
“I think the second horse, now gelded, is nearly a Group 1 horse and I think it is going to be good form. So he goes to the Hobartville, into the Randwick Guineas.
“If you have a look at his family, he’s one of Patrick Hogan’s families and it’s a beautiful 1600m New Zealand family, and I think he’s got 1600 written all over him.”
Chad Schofield gave a good account of his mount post-race.
“He’s stunning,” said Schofield.
“I loved him since the first time I rode him at track work and then obviously I was really impressed with his two trials.
He’s just a beautiful colt with a great attitude and great action. He’s lovely to ride and it was great to see him do that today over a distance like that because he’s only going to get better when he gets over further.
“It was great to see him do that today over 1200m. He just jumped, put himself on the speed and dropped the bridle as well. I just love the way he flattened out down the straight and very strong through the line.
“He wobbled a little bit around the corner the first time Sydney way, but I just waited for him to gather himself, and then he just kept lengthening really nicely, and he gave me a terrific feel.”
Public Attention is currently a $10.00 winning chance with Dabble for the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 8.
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