Classic aim for Public Attention

[Wandering Eyes]

The autumn campaign of three-year-old Public Attention (NZ) (Written Tycoon) is soon to get underway, with the classic-bound colt set for an important trial in Sydney on Thursday.

The son of Written Tycoon is being put on a Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) path, with the colt’s co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr claiming he will present as a much tougher rival this autumn at his second racing campaign.

“He did a wonderful job in his first and only preparation to get right the way through to the Group One (Caulfield Guineas),” Kent Jnr said on Tuesday.

“He was the least experienced horse in that field and I left that day thinking that he would have the most improvement of any horse from that race.

“He then headed north to spell up at Coolmore’s Mt White Farm and he did really well. He’s had an exclusive prep at our Rosehill stable and his campaign will be based around the Randwick Guineas.”

Public Attention first came to notice last September with his narrow second placing in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, before a fighting fifth placing in the A$3 million classic won by Private Life.

Kent Jnr said it is intended for Public Attention to get to the Randwick Guineas after two lead-in runs.

“He’ll trial on Thursday at Warwick Farm and is due to kick off first-up in the Eskimo Prince (Stakes over 1200 metres on February 8),” he said.

“He’ll step into the Hobartville (Stakes, 1400m on February 22) second-up and then the Randwick Guineas (March 8) third-up at the mile.”

Kent Jnr said Public Attention could also be sporting a different look this autumn.

“We are probably going to tinker with some headgear this prep,” he said. “We have worked him in blinkers a couple of times this prep and it seems to have really switched the colt on.

“He’s got a lot of natural talent, but he seems to give a bit extra when he gets the blinkers on, so it’s likely you’ll see them on at some stage this prep.”

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