Attorney Makes His Case for a Start in The Metropolitan

Mark Smith - Saturday September 26

A field dominated by a lot of European-bred hard heads, Saturday’s Group III Colin Stephen Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill may not have excited punters although it did throw up a deserved winner in the Mathew Smith-trained Attorney (FR).

Attorney hits the line strongly in Colin Stephen Stakes (Steve Hart)

Given a ground-saving ride by Jason Collett, the lightly raced 6yo gelding finished strongly to defeat Djukon (GB) (Jukebox Jury) by one and a quarter lengths a half-head back to the winner's stablemate Grey Lion (IRE) (Galileo) back in third.

Attorney (FR) holds a nomination for next weeks Group 1 Metropolitan but Smith would not commit to a run.

“These imported horses can jump up quickly in distance, he enjoyed the gallop today and was good to the line,” Smith said.

Advertisement

“I think I am doing a better job with him this time in. He’s been training well and has been building up to this so it’s good to see him go and do it.

“I was happy to see him switch off. We wanted a reasonable, genuine gallop and not a stop start race. He got into a nice rhythm and looked comfortable, he got the right run and was good to the line.

“He’s in the Metrop but better judges than me can make that decision. We will go back and have a think about it.”   

The OTI colour-bearer had some decent form in Europe when trained in France by Mikel Delzangles.

He won his first two starts in Australia at Newcastle and Canterbury but had been winless in his past six starts.  

A €52,000 purchase by David Revers at the 2016 October Yearling Sale, Attorney (FR) is the best of two winners from three to race out of the winning Montjeu mare Tia Kia a half-sister to Commodore (Danehill) a stakes-winner in India, and the stakes-placed Nolohay (Dubawi) out of the Group III winning Singspiel mare Antioquia.

Attorney (FR) becomes the 33rd stakes-winner for the former NZ shuttler Makfi (Dubawi).

Advertisment

Race Result - Colin Stephen Qlty Gr3 2400m

Rosehill Track: Good(3) Time: 2:29.90
1
Attorney
- 6g Makfi (GB) x Tia Kia (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: J R Collett 54
2
1.3
Djukon
- 5g Jukebox Jury (IRE) x Djumama (IRE) (Aussie Rules (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: K Mc Evoy 53
3
1.4
Grey Lion
- 9g Galileo (IRE) x Grey Lilas (IRE) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: Ms K O'Hara 54.5
4
1.6
Zacada
- 8g Zabeel (NZ) x Lacada (AUS) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: J & G Lee Rdr: Rachel King 54
5
3.2
Carzoff
- 8g Zoffany (IRE) x Cartama (GB) (Mark Of Esteem (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
6
3.6
Lord Fandango
- 8g Lord Of England (GER) x Fitness (IRE) (Monsun (GER))
Tnr: J R Gask Rdr: J Penza 53
7
7.8
Exemplar
- 7g Galileo (IRE) x Miarixa (FR) (Linamix (FR))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Tommy Berry 53.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 3
Here is the full list of 113 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Libertad Back To Winning Form in G2 Victory Stakes
It had been a while between drinks but Russian Revolution stallion Libertad found his way back to winning form in the Group II Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Deep Field's Depth Of Character Takes The Queensland Guineas
Deep Field three-year-old Depth Of Character has opened the path to a potential Group I Stradbroke Handicap tilt after winning the Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Inglis Australian Weanlings - Unraced Trial Report
With the Inglis Australian Weanling sale kicking off on Monday don’t forget to check the unraced trialler report for a bit more intel on what might be coming.
$1.1million Fastnet Filly a New SW for Sheamus Mills Bloodstock
Tara Talks Racing podcast listeners would have taken notice of the Listed SAJC Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday featuring $1.1million Fastnet Rock filly On Display.
So You Think He’s Tough- Punch Lane Wins G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup
Backing up for a third Saturday in a row, super fit So You Think gelding Punch Lane booked his place in the $3million Big Dance later this year when leading all the way to win the $250,000 Group III Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) on Saturday.
2.3million Justify Colt Wins G1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas for Godolphin
The weekend started well for Godolphin when their unbeaten filly Good Cheer won the Group I Kentucky Oaks on Friday and it got even better on Saturday when record priced  €2.3million Justify colt Ruling Court landed the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas in the UK.
First Stakes Winner for Cool Aza Beel
Newhaven Park’s Cool Aza Beel produced his first stakes winner when two-year-old colt Cool Archie won the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Kentucky Derby Triumph for Godolphin
Sheikh Mohammed’s revered Godolphin racing and breeding operation have won Derbies all over the world, but until today the Kentucky Derby had proven elusive, but a three year-old colt called Sovereignty changed all that at Churchill Downs before a crowd in excess of 150,000.
Makfi's Attorney Claims Pakenham Cup
Punters were on the ball in Saturday's $300,000 Listed Sportsbet Pakenham Cup (2500m), hammering the Matthew Smith-trained Attorney (FR) into favouritism.