Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance.
“He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when he’s happy and confident when he’s being a cheeky bugger at home,” Ryan said.
“I had my seat belt well and truly on this (Thursday) morning.”
The winner of last year’s $3 million Big Dance (1600m), Attractable is being aimed towards a title defence and a top-two finish in Friday’s Scone Cup (1600m) will satisfy the eligibility clause for the Melbourne Cup day feature.
The gelding has drawn ideally in barrier three and Ryan says he will strip a much fitter horse for his last start fifth in the Hawkesbury Cup (1600m).
Attractable went into that race off a six-week break between runs after being scratched from the Doncaster Mile due to a heavy track and in hindsight, Ryan felt he needed the hitout.
“He’d had the one little trial, but he wasn’t quite fit enough for Hawkesbury and he just got tired that last hundred (metres),” Ryan said.
“But he is feeling very good now so I’m very, very happy with where he is at.”
Connections have nominated Attractable for the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in Brisbane but believe he is at his best over a mile and are unlikely to head north.
Instead, Ryan is focused on gaining Big Dance eligibility and she is confident the horse is going well enough to achieve that at Scone, especially if first reserve Kibou, an on-pace runner, can squeeze into the field.
“Very much so. I’m hoping the first emergency gets in and he has a bunny to follow,” she said.
“If not, we will probably end up leading, but he’s better with one horse in front of him and outside the leader, that’s his favourite spot to be.
“But I’m not afraid to let him rip and roar, especially now he’s rock-hard fit.”
Attractable was a $12 chance for the Scone Cup on Thursday with Nugget, one of four runners for trainer Ciaron Maher, a $4 favourite, ahead of first-up winner Waterford at $4.80.