Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr will be looking to strike twice in less than a week with Northern Hemisphere-bred debutants when Fretta steps out in Wednesday’s opening event at Sandown.
The British-bred daughter of Frankel will have her first start in the 1500-metre Tile Importer Plate that kicks off the card.
It comes five days after Aramco obliterated his rivals in a 1509m maiden at Geelong and, like that son of Sea The Moon, Kent said they have high hopes for Fretta.
“She’s a gorgeous filly, a really elegant staying type that’s got a bit of speed,” he said.
Fretta, a three-year-old by Australian time, is out of the South African mare Alderry, a daughter of Al Mufti, whose star product to date is Al Sahem, winner of the 2017 South African Derby (2400m).
She was purchased by Blandford Bloodstock for OTI Racing for around AU$380,000 at last year’s Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.
Fretta’s preparation has included a 1000m Cranbourne jumpout fifth placing and a 1200m third placing at the same venue, but she missed the start noticeably in both which has Kent concerned about the scenario confronting Jamie Kah from barrier one in Wednesday’s 13-horse field.
“She just missed the start at her last jumpout and she worked home very smartly, so barrier one is probably the last barrier we wanted to draw,” he told RSN927.
“Lakeside on good ground, knowing how that might play out, she might be in a bit of a difficult spot, but she’s one to follow.
“I’m not saying she can’t win, but she needs to get things right on debut and, bear in mind, she is six months behind.
“She’s essentially a two-year-old and she’s up against some of these horses who are four and they’ve had a bit of experience and seasoning.”
As for Aramco, Kent said he would now be given a quiet time over summer before being set or longer races than last week’s next preparation.
“Mick and I are going to look after him, we’ll put him out for a break and get him back in for a campaign in the autumn and winter,” he said.
“He’s certainly bred to stay, so the fact he did that on debut is most exciting.”
