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In-form jockey Adam Hyeronimus believes Lonhro colt Attica has the versatility to overcome a wide draw in the $2 million group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Hyeronimus has ridden the Godolphin-owned, Joe Pride-trained Attica in all three starts for two wins, including a commanding two-length victory in the listed Dulcify Stakes (1600m) most recently when he swept down the outside from last. Attica was a $4 Sportsbet chance on Wednesday after drawing gate 13 in the 14-strong field for three-year-olds.
Adam Hyeronimus wins the Dulcify Stakes on Attica.Credit: Getty Images
“It’s not ideal, just obviously at the 2000m start there, with the rail being out,” Hyeronimus said of the draw. “But he’s versatile and he can race anywhere. It really doesn’t bother him, he’s quite a relaxed character. The distance won’t be a problem.
“I went back the other day because the speed was so frantic in the first 200 metres. The race turned out quite messy, but he was still good enough to overcome that.”
Hyeronimus has also partnered Shangri La Boy, the $3.30 favourite for the Spring Champion, in his three starts. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Pierro colt has also won twice, including last start when dominating out front in the group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m). Nash Rawiller takes the ride from gate two.
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“I was already booked for Attica, so it’s just the way it fell,” said Hyeronimus, who won the race with Godolphin’s Tom Kitten two years ago. If it hadn’t, it would have made it a bit difficult.”
Hyeronimus, who has also had feature wins with Headley Grange (Alan Brown Stakes) and Beiwacht (group 1 Golden Rose) in the past month, has the job on Miss Roumbini in the $2 million Invitation (1400m). The Mick Price and Michael Kent jnr-trained five-year-old was a $3.90 favourite from gate seven in the mares race. She was scratched from the Alan Brown Stakes because of poor blood work.
“She’s been a mare that has been running well, she’s got good consistent form in good races and, although she carries more weight than she did last start in Melbourne, this race is not any stronger than what she’s been racing in over her last couple of preparations,” Hyeronimus said.
He also rides Duke Of Arrakis ($12) in the Callander-Presnell and Les Vampires ($26) in the Five Diamonds Prelude, both $1 million races, for the Waterhouse-Bott stable on the program.
