Karaka Quinella in Eskimo Prince

If the result of Saturday’s $250,000 Group Three Asahi Super Dry Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick is anything to go by, three-year-olds sourced from the Karaka sale ring are set to have a major impact on the upcoming autumn carnival in Sydney.

The two Karaka graduates in Saturday’s race were Public Attention (NZ) (Written Tycoon) and Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth), who finished first and second.

Public Attention was bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan and was offered by Carlaw Park in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where Coolmore’s Tom Magnier bought him for $160,000. He has had five starts for two wins, a second and A$356,875 in stakes.

Linebacker, meanwhile, was bought for that same purchase price of $160,000 from Haunui Farm’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2023. He was bought by John O’Shea Racing and Suman Hedge Bloodstock. Linebacker has earned A$421,050 from a six-start career that has produced two wins and two second placings.

Public Attention was a winner on debut at Caulfield in late July, then stepped into stakes company as an early three-year-old and finished fifth in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m), second in the Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) and fifth in the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

Saturday’s Eskimo Prince Stakes was Public Attention’s first appearance since that spring campaign, and he returned to racing in style. After sitting just behind unexpected leader Linebacker, Public Attention sprinted smartly in the straight and edged away to beat that rival by just over a length. There was a similar margin back to the third-placed Gatsby’s (Snitzel).

“He’s a stunning colt,” winning jockey Chad Schofield said. “I’ve loved him since the first time I rode him at trackwork, and then obviously I was really impressed with his two trials.

“He’s just a beautiful colt with a great attitude, great action. He’s lovely to ride and it was great to see him do that today over a distance like that, because he’s only going to get better when he gets over further.

“He just jumped, put himself on the speed and dropped the bridle as well. I just love the way he flattened out down the straight and was very strong through the line.

“He wobbled a little bit around the corner the first time the Sydney way, but I just waited for him to gather himself, and then he just kept lengthening really nicely, and he gave me a terrific feel.”

Public Attention is trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.

“I've said to the Coolmore boys that he's a better physical horse this time in,” Price said.

“We were nursing a little bit of shin soreness after each run last time in. Even after the Caulfield Guineas, where he did have every chance, he still pulled up like an immature three-year-old.

“We did our best with him last preparation, but he's a better horse this time in and you saw the benefit of that.

“I think the second horse is nearly a Group One horse and I think it is going to be good form. So he goes to the Hobartville (Group Two, 1400m) next and then into the Randwick Guineas (Group One, 1600m).

“If you have a look at his family, it's one of Sir Patrick Hogan's families and it's a beautiful 1600-metre New Zealand family. I think he's got 1600 metres written all over him.”

Vendor	Carlaw Park
Purchaser	Mr T Magnier (New South Wales)
Breeding	Written Tycoon – Legamor
Sale	Lot 302, Karaka 2023 Book 1, $160,000
Bred by	Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan