Mitchell Freedman’s long-held ambition to have a starter in the legendary Cox Plate will be realised this weekend.

Freedman will saddle Attrition in the 2040m Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday, hoping to upstage a field packed with top-tier talent.

Attrition and Light Infantry Man share outsider status at $34, while reigning champion Via Sistina leads the market at $2.20 in the eight-horse field.

The son of Churchill may not boast recent victories, but Freedman believes the gelding’s consistency and toughness earn him a rightful place in the field.

His campaign includes a strong second in the Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill — a race he won 12 months earlier — and a third to Pride Of Jenni in the Feehan Stakes (1600m).

“We always had it pencilled in that we would try and go to the race this year,” Freedman said.

“It’s been a dream to have a runner in the race, and we’ve shared that dream with the owners.

“He ran really well the last time, and he’s been in and around the mark at weight-for-age for a long time now and he deserves a crack at it.”

In his latest effort, Kerrin McEvoy made a daring tactical decision to put Attrition into the race earlier than expected, positioning him alongside Lindermann — the eventual winner of the Hill Stakes.

“That was pretty bold by Kerrin McEvoy,” Freedman said.

“I don’t reckon there would have been too many riders do what he did. It was a bold move, it worked out well and he really stuck on and his work near the line was really super.

“I’ve been really happy with him since and we’re really looking forward to the Cox Plate.”

Craig Williams takes over the ride for the famous Moonee Valley feature.

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