Frozone To Be Cherry Ripe For Trip South
- Friday, 19 August 2011 04:15
Trainer Alan Bailey is confident of having Frozone cherry ripe for an interstate country Cups campaign next month.
Frozone will have his final run in the Lyndhurst Stud Handicap (1615m) at Doomben on Saturday before heading south for the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) on September 2.
The Wyong Cup is part of a spring campaign Bailey has pencilled in for the six-year-old before contesting the Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 15.
The Group One Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 1 could also be on Frozone's agenda if his form warrants it.
"The Wyong Cup is a good stepping stone to the Newcastle Cup," Bailey said.
"I know I originally had my doubts about him over 2000 metres or more but he's older and more mature now.
"I always thought he was suspect at a middle distance until he ran second in the Ipswich Cup and then ran second in the Grafton Cup (last year).
"Now is the time to aim him for these sort of races as he can't handle the heat in the hotter months."
Frozone produced his customary strong performance last start when third to Lake George and Elusive Port over 1630 metres at Doomben on August 6.
It followed his previous third to Work The Room in the Listed Tattersall's Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm on July 23, a fourth at Randwick over 1800 metres on July 9 and his win in the Listed Tattersall's Racing Club Mile at Eagle Farm on June 25.
Bailey had nominated Frozone for the Listed Taree Cup (2000m) on Sunday but preferred to stay home with him.
"The Taree Cup looked a nice race but he drops in weight and looks better suited at Doomben," Bailey said.
"The tracks in Sydney have been too wet for him lately and I'm just hoping the rain they're getting down in Sydney will be gone by the time he goes away."
Topweight Spechenka is the interesting runner at his first start since finishing fifth to Warrior Within in the Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) on July 14.
Trainer Ben Ahrens gave Spechenka a few days off after the six-year-old jarred up following the Grafton Cup.
"The Grafton Cup didn't suit him as it was a stop-start affair and I found later he jarred up on the hard track," Ahrens said.
Spechenka, winner of last year's Group Three Summer Cup at Randwick and the Listed Caloundra Cup in July, is also being aimed at the Newcastle Cup and possibly The Metropolitan.
