Kevin Attard when asked what winning the Queen's Plate means to him
"I'm feeling a little stifled right now," Attard said at this week's Queen's Plate draw. “It’s a lifelong goal. When they talk about great hockey players, it’s like they didn’t win the Stanley Cup. To win, you have to win.”
Attard has run in the last five Queen's Plates (10 appearances in all), finishing second at Alejandro in 2007 and finishing second in 2020. He finished 3rd at Clayton last year and 3rd at HC Holiday last year. But he's never finished in winner's circle, and that's something he'd like to change.The Brampton native says winning the $1 million plate is his biggest goal as a trainer. and admit that it is the ultimate dream.
"I grew up in a horse racing family (famous Woodbine his trainer Tino and Sid his Attard son and nephew), but for anyone working in this industry, This is not an easy industry," he said. "I know for myself, I've sacrificed a lot of family time, I've spent a lot of time here and this is the position I'm trying to place myself in." To be the best that's been here and obviously to be the best you have to win this race After so long being said and when I'm gone wants to be remembered as one of the better trainers here at Woodbine, and he feels in his heart that he needs to be recognized for this victory.
Winning the plate is the ultimate prize, but Attard has proven himself over the last few years as Woodbine's top trainer and one of the best in North America, and he can win in Canada. He's won just about everything, with a total stakes score of 75 at the Etobicoke Oval: Taylor (2019) and Woodbine Mile (2020).Other career highlights include a win at Woodbine Oaks last year. Attard also scored at Multigrade Stakes winners Amalfi Coast, Calgary Cat and Mermich. All great successes, but the one race that misses him is the plate, the biggest race in Canada.
But that's on Sunday Attard's mare Moira is the early favorite, 5-2, heading into the 163rd edition of the Canadian Classic race.Moira has three wins (and two more in four career starts). 10 3/4 lengths in Woodbine Oaks, Canada's most prestigious race for fillies, on 24 July with regular jockey Rafael Hernandez, the daughter of Ghostzapper. Divine Aida also ran her first race of the season, Paio, after starting a four-wide rally from near the rear of seven horses in the Fury Stakes on 11 June. Niaz won by a head over Edge. field. Raised in Adena Springs, Moria is owned by X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables and SF Racing.
Suggested Video
Moira confronting the boys at his 11-horse event on Sunday 1 1/4 at Woodbine's Tapeta Course Face stiff competition in the mile race. – First plate Led by Grade 3 Marine Stakes winner Rondure, trained by his starter Katerina Vasilieva.
"There are good horses. Rondure was pretty impressive on his last start. I don't think he's a slouch," Attard said. "Minxter is a horse that has just lost once in his life. I think they tried to evaluate him last time. From the outside, you would think there would be more free runs this time."
Trained by two-time plate winner Danny Vera at Sea Grass stables and ridden by David Moran, the Minkster has won three in four careers, including a win in the Queenston Stakes on June 12th. I'm here. Moira is looking to win the plate as his tenth filly since 1956. The last time she won the plate was in 2018, won by her trainer Mark Her Casse and owner and big-time Hollywood film producer Gary Barber. Kasse has two entries for Sunday's race, Hall of Dreams and Sir for Sure.
Attard said Moira is in a great position for Sunday's race.
"I think it's the best she's ever seen," he said. “She really blossomed. , it's a step up for the company,” Attard added. Yes, she was pretty impressive in the Oaks, so you have to think she belongs in this group.
"It's a tough race," he said. “Look at some of the trainers this race missed in Woodbine history. And I mean the Hall of Fame trainers. It just shows how hard it is to run 4 miles. We have our favorites and it's nice to have them out there, but they never hand us the trophy now.
Being handed the trophy on Sunday would do very well for Attard.
SBuffery@postmedia.com
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