HAWKESBURY trainer Garry Frazer’s son Jordan gave his father an early confidence boost for Spright’s resumption at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday.
“Jordan rides Spright in 99 per cent of her trackwork, and was pretty confident about her first-up chances after he partnered her in a gallop at home on Tuesday morning,” Frazer revealed.
“He wrote “Just Wins” on the white board back at our stables.
“That certainly lifted my confidence that she was getting back to her old form.”
Spright justified the father and son combination’s confidence with an overpowering finish to win the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes.
With Jay Ford aboard, the Hinchinbrook four-year-old signalled a successful autumn and winter campaign by notching the fourth victory (she has also been placed six times) of her 16-start career.
Spright, a brilliant Flemington spring carnival winner in 2016, failed at both her starts last spring – and her astute trainer wisely did not continue with her.
“She didn’t come up. It can happen, it was one of those things,” Frazer said.
“She has come back a much stronger mare.”
Spright’s brilliant return has provided Frazer with a pleasant “headache”.
“I’m not sure which way we will head with her,” he said. “We’ve got a few options in the next few weeks,” he said.
“There is the Sapphire Stakes in a fortnight at Randwick on Day 2 of The Championships against her own sex, or the Hall Mark Stakes.
“And there is also the Godolphin Crown at our stand alone meeting at home at the end of the month, on her home track.
Spright’s terrific return to form continued a tremendous Hawkesbury run, marking the 62nd victory in this calendar year.
That number jumped to 64 on Easter Sunday with victories at the corresponding meetings at Muswellbrook and Nowra.
Co-trainers Tara and Philippe Vigouroux scored with Azcannyaz ($16) at the Country Championships Wild Card fixture at Muswellbrook, whilst Mike Van Gestel clinched success with Cheeky Bella ($9.50) at Nowra.
No one could begrudge Team Vigouroux a breakthrough with Canny Lad five-year-old Azcannyaz, who notched only his second win in the Class 1 Showcase Handicap after 13 second placed finishes.
Part-owned by a syndicate including Hawkesbury Race Club Chairman Ken Quigley, Azcannyaz beat $15 chance Mackellar, whose Goulburn trainer Danny Williams later won the Wild Card with hotpot Don’t Give A Damn.
Hawkesbury returns to racing tomorrow, with only two meetings before Stand Alone Saturday, featuring the Group 3 Livamol Hawkesbury Gold Cup, on April 28.
