Exciting youngster Frupper has improved since his impressive debut win earlier this month ahead of what will be his last run this campaign at Caulfield.
The two-year-old son of Freeze is topweight in Saturday’s Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1000m) and trainer Wez Hunter said he wouldn’t swap him for any of the other seven runners.
Hunter said Frupper rose to the challenge at each of his three pre-race trials and believes he has gone up another notch again since his 1-3/4 length debut win over Lamingtons at Caulfield on April 9.
“No doubt he’s improved in himself and improved with the whole outing and not just the race,” Hunter said.
“He was pretty wound up when being saddled at his first start and a bit new but I’m sure he is better for the experience of the whole day.
“He has come through the run really well and his work since has been sensational.”
Hunter said Frupper had even trimmed down three kilograms since his debut.
As foreman for trainer Tony Noonan for four years, Hunter saw his share of good horses and is keen to give Frupper a good spell before the spring.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I like him (Frupper),” Hunter said.
He was particularly impressed with the way Frupper accelerated when Brad Rawiller used the whip on him for the first time at Caulfield.
“We’d never had to hit him with the whip in his trials or trackwork and when you look at the replay as soon as Brad gave him a back-hander he had them covered,” Hunter said.
On Saturday Frupper has drawn the outside of the eight runners which Hunter is looking at as an advantage.
“I’m pretty happy with the barrier draw,” Hunter said.
“He was a bit fractious in the gates last time and being last in on Saturday he won’t have time to think about it and will be straight out.
“I don’t know much about the others against him on Saturday but I wouldn’t swap him for anything else in the race.”
The are five first starters including the Mark Kavanagh-trained Joint Initiative who is by Elusive Quality, and the Peter Moody-trained Military Officer by top sire Fastnet Rock.
Tasmanian Anniversary Belle, trained by Gary White, Magnus filly Kolonga from the Ellerton and Zahra yard and General Nediym filly Narda, trained by Nikki Burke, also make their debuts.
The John Thompson-trained Affable is the only other winner besides Frupper in the race, having won her race debut at Sale.
