Frankel My Dear to step up at Moonee Valley

Darryl Sherer - Tuesday August 22

Trainer Robbie Laing has never been afraid to tilt at windmills and will pitch promising colt Frankel My Dear straight into stakes class at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Advertisement
Frankel My Dear (red cap) and Missrock galloping at Moonee Valley on Tuesday. Photo: Darryl Sherer

The three-year-old son of Frankel debuted over 1000m at Flemington on August 5 and was beaten 1-3/4 lengths into fifth behind Azazel, who he will meet again in Saturday's Listed Mitchell McKenzie Stakes over 1200m.

Laing added to Frankel My Dear's experience by travelling to Moonee Vally on Tuesday to work, galloping in partnership with the older Missrock.

"His work this morning was really good and he's improving all the time," Laing said.

"Three months ago he was flat winning a trial and an average one, not even a good one but he's just improved and improved.

"He ran a couple of seconds in trials then a won a trial and his run the other day was really good."

Laing said he was pleasantly surprised with the way Frankel My Dear coped galloping with the older mare.

"He's improved again and he really stuck it to Missrock this morning," McEvoy said.

"She's a good track worker and with the trip away from home they were both wide awake and found a bit in their work.

"On one hand he's race fit and she's still a way away but she's a Group One mare that was runner-up in the Goodwood at her last start so she's not a bad guide."

Laing has Caulfield Guineas ambitions for Frankel My Dear and is looking forward to stretching the colt out in trip.

"The 1200m on Saturday will be up his alley and with his rate of improvement this will give us a good idea of where he's at in a stakes race," Laing said.

"I didn't panic with him and just kept training him like I normally would and he's just turned it around on his own.

"The only time he's been a dill was when he ran at Flemington - he didn't know where he was and just lost his composure but he's been well behaved here today.

"When he furnishes I really think he can win a major race in the autumn - but I wouldn't say no to winning a nice race in the spring!"

Laing is now leaning towards starting Missrock in the Listed Carlyon Stakes over 1000m at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The four-year-old has not raced at Moonee Valley in her previous 14 races and has not started since finishing runner-up to Vega Magic in the Group I Goodwood at Morphettville on May 20.

"It's just been that wet down our way and we haven't been able to get as many grass gallops as we'd have liked," Laing said.

"She'll be a run short Saturday but good horses can do special things and she's a good horse.

"I'd like to come back here for the Moir (Stakes) later on so the practice on the course will help her."

Advertisment
More Reading...
$1million Mehmas a Stakes-Winner for Godolphin
One of the big ticket purchases for Godolphin at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale last year was the half-brother to triple Group I winner Perfect Power by Mehmas and this 1million guinea purchase opened his stakes account overnight in the UK.
What Stallions Can Step Up in Hong Kong?
The Hong Kong racing season is over for another year, so a look at their sire tables by earnings and winners is always interesting and there is no surprise at the top with now pensioned Deep Field claiming his fourth consecutive champion sire title, but given he is now out of the picture the big question is what sires will replace him?
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Karaka Graduates Shoot for Selangor’s Seven-Figure Prize
A quality cast of four-year-olds will clash in Malaysia’s richest race this weekend, with a significant NZB influence throughout the 16-horse field.
Another Aussie Stakes-Winner for Lope de Vega
It’s just as well Australian owners are keen on bringing in imported tried horses to Australia or the $200,000 Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday would have looked a very skinny event, but as it happened there was a promising young stayer on top in Don Diego de Vega (Fr).
Without Peer Impresses On Debut For Pierata
Triple Crown Syndications appear to have a horse with plenty of upside as we approach the new season after their 2yo Pierata gelding Without Peer made a winning debut in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1200m) on Saturday at Rosehill.
Big Investment Begins Paying Off
A big investment by Rosemont Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in purchasing Group III winning mare Khulaasa for $1.35million produced a dividend on Friday, but that’s just the beginning!
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 17
Here is the full list of 40 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Unbeaten Filly a New Stakes-Winner for Ghaiyyath
Darley shuttler Ghaiyyath (IRE) is not returning to Australia this year after four seasons at Darley Victoria, but he was in the news overnight with a new stakes-winner after his unbeaten three year-old filly Al Uqda won the Listed Vichy Prix Madame Jean Couturie (2000m).
Sires With Winners - Friday July 18
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.