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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Adam Hyeronimus knows he’ll need to produce a Group 1 ride to get the job done on exciting Godolphin colt Attica at Randwick on Saturday, and cut down a rival he knows very well, but he feels he's on a horse with unlimited potential.

Jockey Adam Hyeronimus (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The 35-year-old was booked for Attica in the Group 1 $2 million Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) before he guided his major opponent Shangri La Boy to victory in the Gloaming Stakes two weeks ago.

So as far as he’s concerned there was no decision to be made between them and he can focus on how to give his mount the best run he can from barrier 13 at the tricky 2000m start.

“You’ve got to make the best of a bad situation,” he said.

“A lot of things can change before the first 100m of the race so I don’t think it’s anything to stress about.

“He’s such a relaxed character and takes everything in his stride. The distance will be right up his alley, obviously the barrier isn’t ideal but that’s the way it is.”

Hyeronimus is looking for his second Spring Champion for Godolphin having guided Tom Kitten home in 2023.

Attica, $3.90 with TAB on Wednesday, is a son of Lonhro and is the first foal of Group 1 winner Savatiano and since he was handed to Joe Pride to train he’s been held in high regard.

He made a winning debut, some 10 months after the first of his seven barrier trials, and he announced himself as a Spring Champion contender with a barnstorming win in the Dulcify over the Randwick mile three weeks ago.

He drew the outside on that occasion and Hyeronimus said a fast early pace worked in his favour as he was able to sweep down the middle and score by almost two lengths.

“With the frantic speed in the first 200m I made my decision of going back to get cover and the race was a bit of a mess after that so the fashion he won in that day was pretty impressive,’’ he said.

“He’s very well bred and what he’s done to date has been great.

"He has to take another step up on Saturday but it’ll give him a good grounding for what he’s going to be expected to deliver next preparation.

“He’s quite versatile and that goes to the nature of the horse he is, he’s a cool customer and does everything right.”

Since that win Joe Pride sent him back to the trials for a close third in a 1200m heat last Friday.

Pride has indicated Attica would target the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) in the autumn and Hyeronimus feels he’ll get a good measuring stick this weekend.

Elsewhere on the Randwick card, Hyeronimus is looking forward to the ride on Miss Roumbini in the Group 2 $2m The Invitation (1400m).

The mare, trained by Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr, was forced to miss the Alan Brown two weeks ago with a minor issue but she brings a last start Group 1 placing behind Sepals in the Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m) into the race.

“She had a light weight that day but her preparation has been very good,’’ he said.

Attica wins the Dulcify at Randwick on October 4

“It was a very strong race, her form has been quite consistent for quite some time. She meets a race now that is competitive but it’s a good race for her.”

Adam Hyeronimus on Les Vampires (race 10): “I can see him really turning his form around. His work through the week has been good. He just needed to have that run first-up and I think the race has brought him on. I expect him to run quite well.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s meeting at Randwick