He may have been beaten in last Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas Prelude, but Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are still eager to push on to the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas with grey colt Public Attention (NZ) (Written Tycoon).
The son of Written Tycoon endured a wide run on the weekend and was only beaten by half a length by Angel Capital, who enjoyed a more economical run in transit.
“He was awfully brave, he could have given in at any stage after a tough run, but he kept coming, so I think he really showed us that he’s looking for a mile,” Kent Jnr said.
“In what will be a tough Guineas, it’s the race on a lot of trainers’ lips this year, he’s going to be a definite prizemoney chance.”
Kent Jnr lamented the lack of luck that Public Attention has had thus far in his racing career but acknowledged that the Guineas will be a stiffer test for him, with quality gallopers like Broadsiding potentially travelling down from Sydney for the race.
“Clearly, the Guineas is going to be a much tougher race, but I can’t wait to get our colt there,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’s pulled up super, I think he’s the right model of horse; he’s a big, strong, tough colt with a long action, he’s going to love a mile and if we get a kinder run with some cover and have every chance, then he’s going to be thereabouts.”
Sportsbet has Public Attention at $21 in its market for the Caulfield Guineas on October 12.
Public Attention was bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan. He is by Written Tycoon and is the first foal out of the twice-winning Commands mare Legramor and was bought by Tom Magnier for $160,000 from Carlaw Park’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2023.
Fellow three-year-old Reserve Bank also has elite-level goals this spring. The undefeated colt is being aimed towards the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Victoria Derby Day and was a comfortable winner at Ballarat on Friday, when he was ridden by Luke Currie.
“In two race-day appearances, he’s been very impressive against moderate company,” Kent Jnr said.
“I loved his win, he did everything right after a small setback, a stone bruise. He went there, Luke rode him beautifully, but he changed leads nicely, he’s pulled up well.
“We’re thinking we go to the Danehill and then we’re trying to get to the Coolmore in the right order on the right day.
“There’s the Danehill, the Gothic and the Coolmore. We’ve got to work out if he runs in all three or two of them, but he’s pulled up really well.
“I think he’s the right style of colt, he’s very exciting.”
Reserve Bank has firmed into $13 in Sportsbet’s market for the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
