Fresh Foxy ready for Flemington return in Frances Tressady Stakes
Autumn, as it is in spring, is a time when connections of mares dream big.
It is the time when a Stakes race win can add a little extra to the value of a potential broodmare.
Ballarat trainer Andrew Noblet has the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill next month in the back of his mind for Foxy Frida who returns to racing at Flemington on Saturday.
The Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) will determine Foxy Frida’s path to autumn riches.
Foxy Frida has been a model of consistency throughout her 30-start career that has netted 10 wins, a couple at Stakes level, including the Group 3 RA Lee Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville.
“She’s run second in a couple of Group 2’s, she’s won at Group 3 level,” Noblet said.
“She’s been so consistent, and she’s virtually won a Stakes race every time she’s been in work.
“Hopefully she can do it again this prep.”
Foxy Frida is a dual winner fresh and Noblet said the mare had been working well in preparation for her first-up run.
The mare finished fourth in a trial at Geelong on January 30 as part of her preparation.
“I was happy with her trial, and she’s been great since,” Noblet said.
“She’s had a couple of gallops on the course proper at Ballarat and I’m very happy with her.
“Visually and what we’ve seen on the tracks she’s going as good as ever, but she is stepping off in a bit harder race this time.”
If Foxy Frida returns as Noblet thinks she may, the trainer said he would make plans around the Coolmore Classic.
“We’ll get through Saturday first and that will tell us a lot,” Noblet said.
“But if she’s in really good form, I’d like to get her up to Sydney and maybe go to the Coolmore, or something like that.
“I think 1400 metres to a mile is her best trip, but with her its tempo related.
“A good tempo suits her and even though she’s run well at 2000 metres, I think the mile is her strength.
“The Coolmore they run along a bit, so we’ll see if her form warrants going there, if not we’ll stay put and find something suitable.”
More Racing News
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...
Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest
Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...
‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup
Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...
Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?
To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...
Local mare to launch carnival mission in Ortensia Stakes
Luke Pepper believes the best is still ahead for dual stakes winner Opal Ridge, who will be chasing her second feature race win at Scone in as many years when she resumes in the Ortensia Stakes. The talented mare was triumphant in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) on the corresponding program 12...