Attard hoping for special Cup with Reiby

From cradle to a stakes race, Jason Attard has been with Reiby The Red for every step of the horse’s life.

The young trainer delivered Reiby The Red at owners Sid and Carolyn Kelly’s Reibycroft Stud at Freemans Reach on Sydney’s north-western outskirts, where Attard trains a string of horses.

Attard and Reiby The Red can repay the Kellys’ faith with a win in Saturday’s Listed ATC Cup (2000m) at Rosehill.

“All the Reiby horses are quite special to me,” Attard told AAP.

“I probably wouldn’t even be training racehorses if it wasn’t for the Kellys so to get a stakes win for them would be very good.”

Reiby Regina gave him his first city success when she won a midweek race at Canterbury almost four years ago.

“It’s the same story,” Attard said.

“I delivered her when she was born, had her all the way through and broke her in myself and I’ve had him pretty much since the first day.”

Attard believes everything is going in the right direction for Reiby The Red to deliver another milestone win for the Kellys.

The five-year-old was dominant in winning by almost five lengths over 1600m at Warwick Farm on November 16 after placings in the first three runs of his preparation.

While midweek to Listed grade is a significant jump, Attard has had a long-held ambition to get Reiby The Red racing in stronger company.

“I always thought he was going to be a 2000-metre plus type of horse but he was racing so well over the mile,” Attard said.

“We’re going to try him over the 2000 metres again and just see how it pans out.”

Reiby The Red drops 6kg from his last start with Kathy O’Hara taking the ride.

A good showing in the ATC Cup is likely to prompt Attard to send the horse back to 1600m to tackle the Group Two Villiers Stakes at Randwick on December 17.

“Even if he does go close to winning at the 2000 metres it wouldn’t hurt dropping back to the mile,” Attard said.

“Obviously it’s been done quite a bit before with success.”

Meanwhile stable star Sons Of John and talented mare Kellyville Flyer, both owned by John Kelly, are enjoying a break in the paddock.

“It’s a different Kelly gang,” Attard said.

“They’re not even closely related but they’re all great supporters.”