Every horse eventually finds its own level and that could be the case with Alan Bailey’s gritty Gold Coast performer Frozone.
Bailey fears the handicapper may have caught up with Frozone who will carry equal topweight of 58 kilograms in Saturday’s Next Byte Open Handicap (1630m).
The six-year-old carried only 53.5kg when successful in the Listed Centenary Classic Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 25.
Frozen was then taken to Sydney and carried 58kg when fourth to Hidden Gem over 1800 metres at Randwick before returning home to finish third with half a kilogram less in the Listed Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm last month.
The only positive in his two recent defeats was that the gelding drew favourable barriers on both occasions.
“I suppose you can’t have it both ways with the weight and barriers,” Bailey said.
“But it was disappointing to see him win with 53.5kg and then carry 58 kilos next start.
“Thankfully he drew good barriers in his last three runs but he would have had no chance had he drawn wide and had to drop back.
“He’s a good competitor but I’ve got my reservations with him this time as he’s got around the same weight as last start and he’s looking for further now.”
Bailey tries to find every way of beating the handicapping system and frequently heads interstate to chase better prizemoney.
“The way things are going at the moment a lot more trainers will be looking at going to Sydney for better prizemoney,” he said.
Bailey’s latest interstate ventures were successful when Glen Colless partnered God Bless Us to victory in a Maiden at Canterbury on Wednesday while Brave The Way won Thursday’s Coffs Harbour Cup.
It was Colless’ second Coffs Harbour Cup victory after landing his first aboard Sabre Luck in 1991.
Bailey hopes to send Frozone back south for the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) on September 2 and Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 14.
“If he goes away I’ll also nominate him for the Metropolitan,” Bailey said.
The Group One Metropolitan (2400m) will be run at Randwick on October 1.
AAP TURF
