Jim Byrne’s decision to ride in Sydney on Saturday has opened the way for Robbie Fradd to renew his association with trainer Desleigh Forster.
Fradd will ride promising filly Meadow for Forster in the QTIS Three-Year-Old (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Byrne rode the filly when she won a midweek maiden in impressive fashion at Doomben two weeks ago.
However, he has been coaxed to Sydney to ride for premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan who is setting up a satellite stable at Rosehill.
“Several Sydney jockeys are obviously riding in Melbourne on Saturday and I thought it was a good opportunity to get Jim to come to Sydney,” Gollan said.
“Jim has ridden a lot in Sydney over the years and he knows it well. As my Sydney stable gets bigger I will obviously call on him more. ”
Byrne told Forster last Saturday he would be unavailable and she was quick to grab Fradd.
“Jim does a lot of riding for Tony so I understand. But Robbie is in great form and he will get the job done,” Forster said.
Fradd was a regular rider for Forster last year, most notably with the smart Cylinder Beach who he rode into third place in the Group Two BRC Sires’ Produce and fourth in the Group One J J Atkins Stakes.
He is having a stellar season and is currently second on the Brisbane jockeys’ premiership.
Forster has high hopes for Meadow who she believes could develop into an Australian Oaks and Queensland Oaks filly.
Meadow cost $180,000 as a yearling and was originally destined to be trained in Melbourne by Peter Moody.
However, when the filly was slow to mature she was sent to Forster who is noted for giving her horses plenty of time.
“There aren’t many better bred fillies around than Meadow. She is one of the few horses by champion sire Redoutes Choice racing in Queensland and she is out of a mare by Encosta De Lago,” Forster said.
“I could hardly wait to get her out to 1600 metres at her last start and she won easily. Now I am looking forward to her at staying distances next campaign.”
Forster had originally planned to spell Meadow after her Doomben win but owner Basil Nolan, a leading Queensland breeder, was keen to go to Saturday class.
“We had a good talk about it and she has done well since the win. It will give us a good idea of where she stands and it will also build up her prize money for next year,” Forster said.
