Spright to embark on Perth Group One adventure

Trainer Garry Frazer this week confirmed the $1 million WFA Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot racecourse on December 1 as her next target.

Spright is in career best form, her close fourth to Brave Smash in last Friday night’s Group one $1 million Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley following a third to Viddora in an earlier Group One there, the $500,000 Moir Stakes (1000m) on September 28.

“She is going great,” Frazer said this week. “Spright could have won the Manikato with a bit of luck.

“The extra ground she had to cover was more than the three-quarters of a length margin she was beaten by.

“Spright has pulled up well, and I could have backed her up at Flemington on Saturday in an 1100m Listed race for mares down the straight.

“But the Winterbottom is a realistic target. Damien Oliver has ridden her in both Melbourne runs and is keen to stay on her for the Winterbottom.

“That’s an advantage as, being a former Perth boy, he obviously knows Ascot well.”

Spright is due back at her Hawkesbury stable this week, and Frazer intends to “put her in the paddock for a few days”.

“A charter flight to Perth leaves Melbourne on November 18, and she will go back there just before then.

“Spright is an experienced traveller now and the break between runs won’t hurt her at all."

Frazer’s confidence in the Perth assignment has been buoyed by Oliver’s keenness to ride her again, and the jockey’s manager’s comments to him that Spright will go into the Winterbottom with similar form lines to last year’s winner Viddora.

Hawkesbury is just over a week away from its Spring Feature meeting, Ladies Day, on Thursday, November 8. Get the girl squad together and dress the part with the club’s Fashions On The Field competition, offering a range of superb prizes.

Registration for the competition will be held on the front lawn trackside between 11.30am and 1.30pm, with competition judging starting at 3pm. More information on the club’s website.