WA Oaks winner Frith will return to the scene of her biggest career victory when she races at Perth’s Gloucester Park later this month. The future for the six year old mare has been in limbo for several months since it was confirmed Frith would not be heading to the stables of leading New Zealand trainer Mark Purdon.
After spending weeks at the property of owners Bernie and Di Kelly, the daughter of Four Starzzz Shark returned to long time trainer Bruce Harpley last month, however the Junee horseman thought the best option was to send Frith to Michael Brennan.
“I spoke with Bernie about Western Australia but I just can’t be away from home for such a long period of time at the moment, I’ve got eleven other horses in work at the moment and I’ve got a full time job to think about as well so I thought it was best to go Mouse (Michael Brennan),” Harpley said.
“Mouse and his wife Lara are fantastic people, they treated us like family when I took Frith over for the WA Oaks and I know she is going to the right person.”
With three races for mares during the Inter Dominion including a group one event worth $125,000, Harpley is hoping Frith does enough to warrant staying around in Perth a little bit longer.
“How long Frith stays in Perth will all depend on how she is racing, if she does a good job over there then I would expect her to stay over in WA until the Ladyship Mile next year and Mouse can bring her back for that.
“If she finds the opposition a bit too slick over in Perth then she can come back here and I’ll play around with her until the Ladyship, it all depends on her but if she hits her straps for Mouse there is no need to bring her home.”
Harpley confirmed Frith went around at the recent Junee Show and performed well.
“Bernie had put plenty of work into her before she arrived back with me, I gave her a hit-out at the local Show, she gave them a bit of a start and worked up to them slowly but she ran her last quarter in 27.5 off the track and her heart rate afterwards was very good.
“She definitely hasn’t forgotten who I am but in terms of condition she is a lot lighter than she was before the Ladyship Mile.”
While Harpley has driven her in all of her feature victories he passed on the chance to continue his association with her while she is in Perth.
“When Mouse and I spoke on the phone he offered me the chance to go over and drive her but even flying over to drive her once a week I’m going to be missing time from work and my horses are going to miss work also so I told Mouse for him to use his drivers.
“I’d love to see her win another $120,000 and become a million dollar earner, she has been such a great mare for so long.”
Harpley was considering giving Frith a run before her flight to Perth on November 15.
“I toyed with the idea but she will either draw poorly against weaker opposition or she would have to race the free-for-allers and it is probably too early to be doing that right now.
“She can go over to Mouse and he can work out which way he wants to go with her first up.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
