By Ray Hickson
Talented mare Spright spelled a little better than trainer Garry Frazer had allowed for so he’s a shade reserved about her chances at Randwick on Saturday.
The four-year-old kicks off her spring campaign in the Snitzel Sprint (1200m) to close off Epsom day with Frazer eyeing a Group 3 race next month as an early target.
“I gave her a full six weeks out and she did unbelievably in her spell so she will probably be a bit soft on Saturday,’’ Frazer said.
“While she is a bit soft I expect her to run well. She’s drawn probably not ideally for a horse like her in one but (Jay Ford) will have to make his own luck from there.’’
The Group 3 Nivison (1200m) at Randwick on October 21 is the race Frazer has in mind for Spright.
It was a year ago at the corresponding midweek meeting to the one held at Rosehill on Wednesday that Spright emerged as a stakes class horse as she broke her maiden before winning the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes and a Group 3 at Flemington in Cup week.
Like many horses that take those quick steps can experience, her autumn campaign wasn’t as successful though she recorded placings in the Light Fingers Stakes and Scone Guineas.
Frazer isn’t too hard on her for that winless preparation.
“Most of them were on wet tracks,’’ he said.
“She probably should have won the Scone Guineas but he had to expose her a bit early because she started to over race.
“If she’d have won the Scone Guineas her form would have looked pretty good.
“She raced without a lot of luck. She ran fourth in the Arrowfield and the horse that beat her a head (Impending) went on to win the Stradbroke.’’
Spright has had two trials, as is the norm for her leading into a preparation.
“She cruised around in behind them at Randwick, Ravi won the trial, then I took her to Wyong and gave her a bit of a hit out,’’ Frazer said.
“Her work has been good since.’’
Check out the fields, form and replays for Royal Randwick on Saturday