by Anthony Manton
The Black Book will identify race performances around Australia particularly worth following in the future. These may be high profile runners at trials and smaller tracks, or eye-catching performances, we'll aim to give you a horse to add to your pedigree or performance black book for the future.
Frankely Awesome the highly talented daughter of Frankel kicks off her Oaks campaign when she resumes at Warwick Farm on Wednesday in race six, the Provincial Benchmark 70 over 1300 metres.
In her first preparation, Frankely Awesome created a huge impression winning her first two starts. On debut, she produced an electrifying finish to come from last and break her maiden at Newcastle in early September and backed that up winning again at Scone in a class 2, which was equally as impressive.
It’s almost unheard of to see a horse win a class 2 race at Scone and then be thrown in the deep-end to contest a Group 1 race, but such was the authority of her victories and the opinion of Frankely Awesome she was immediately tested in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick over 2000 metres. Ultimately Frankely Awesome finished midfield behind Maid Of Heaven (Smart Missile) before being sent for a spell.
“She showed in her first preparation she is a high-class filly that would always get out to an Oaks distance which is where we are aiming her this time-in”, said Kris Lees’ Racing Manager Lucas Miller.
“She showed in her first preparation she is a high-class filly that would always get out to an Oaks distance." - Lucas Miller, Kris Lees Racing Manager
This preparation, Frankely Awesome has been given two quiet lead-up barrier trials at Wyong and Newcastle, and although the 1300 metres first-up is short of her best distance it is a great starting point towards the Oaks.
“Her trials have been good but she knows when its race day and saves her best for the races. She showed in her first preparation that she reserves her best for race day”.
“The distance [1300 metres] is obviously short of her best and we’ll just stick to her racing pattern and settle her back in the field where she is comfortable and she’ll be doing her best work late”.
“Her stable mates [Juventus (Hard Spun) and Aliferous (Hinchinbrook)] both have a fitness edge on her but we’ve seen she’s got incredible acceleration and she’ll be charging home late,” said Miller.
"She showed in her first preparation that she reserves her best for race day”. - Lucas Miller
Frankely Awesome is likely to follow the traditional Oaks lead-ups as her path this time in.
“She’ll follow the usual Oaks lead-ups and run in races like the Aspiration [Quality Group 3 1600 metres at Randwick on March 9] and the Vinery [Stud Stakes Group 1 at Rosehill on March 30]”.
“There is also the Surround Stakes [Group 1 1400 metres at Randwick on March 2] that she could perhaps run is as well. She’ll need another run or two before those main Oaks lead-ups so we have options” said Miller.
Frankely Awesome is the first foal from dam Street Secret (Street Cry {USA}). Street Secret, a three-time winner started her career in the UK and later raced in France and America. She was twice placed at stakes-level in France.
Cressfield Stud purchased Street Secret in foal to Frankel on Southern Hemisphere time and Frankely Awesome was foaled in Australia.
Cressfield Stud later sold Street Secret in foal to Snitzel at the 2017 Inglis Chairmans Sale for $680,000 to Paul Moroney Bloodstock. The foal she was carrying was a colt that later went through the 2018 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and was passed-in for $250,000.
Frankel
Kriss Lees is in the very fortunate position to have two high-class daughters of Frankel in his stable. Lees also trains Miss Fabulass (Frankel), the fifth foal to race of Lees’ former champion filly Samantha Miss and her best performed on the track so far.
"They have both come back terrific, we’re very excited to see them back at the races and looking forward to the autumn with them." - Lucas Miller
Miss Fabulass won the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes 1400 metres at Randwick during the spring and she resumes her preparation this Saturday at Randwick in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes 1200 metres.
“It’s great to have two exceptional Frankel fillies in the stable. They have both come back terrific, we’re very excited to see them back at the races and looking forward to the autumn with them”, said Miller.
