As soon as Fun Fact missed the start you only wanted to be on King Frankel ($3.30F) in The Beauford over 2300m at Newcastle.
Apprentice hoop Tyler Schiller was handed an easy lead over the staying journey, and took full advantage to defeat Kukeracha ($6) by two and a half lengths with Gin Martini ($6) a further length and a quarter back in third place.
The British import is building up an impressive record since landing on our shores winning three of four local outings, and Schiller believes there is more to come. After being scratched at the barriers at Rosehill last Saturday, the five-year-old showed no ill effects.
“He had a comfortable lead when Fun Fact didn’t jump and inject the pace,” Schiller said.
“He made a massive improvement from his last start.
“He had a big gap between runs because of his mishap at Rosehill, but it doesn’t seem to phase him.
“He just keeps doing his work and improving. He was a lot better in front than he was at Warwick Farm, so to see him put them away like that shows he has come on in leaps and bounds and hopefully a little bit more to come.”
Trainer Mark Newnham, who didn’t make the trip up the highway, was equally impressed with the effort of his stayer.
“I cheered hard from the couch,” Newnham quipped.
“He’s a pretty talented little horse and he’s improved every week. His recovery is fantastic, he’s a really clean winded horse.”
As to what’s next for the Frankel gelding, Newnham was keen to keep his options open.
“I’ll have a look this afternoon as to what gap I could give him in the autumn,” Newnham said.
“The good thing about what he’s shown so far is he’s won on a Heavy 10 and probably today is close to a Good 3. I won’t need to plan around the weather.
“There’s the Sydney Cup which would be a nice aim.”
