Despite northern hemisphere-bred Frankel filly Fretta giving away both age and experience to her rivals, the Jamie Kah-ridden filly was explosive in an impressive debut win.
Taken to Sandown on Wednesday for her first outing, Fretta showed a touch of class in taking out the Tile Importer Plate (1500m).
A $220,000 guineas purchase in the UK as a yearling, Fretta ($4.20) raced to a 3-œ length win from Choquant ($4.20) with Hanibal Hero ($21) a long neck away third.
Kah described the race as ‘messy’ after early leader Wicasa Tankala ran off the track near the 800m mark taking Choquant with her.
Ethan Brown on Choquant was able to gather his gelding up and get him back on track.
Racing Victoria stewards said the bit on Wicasa Tankala had gone through that gelding’s mouth and the six-year-old hung badly.
After a slow beginning, Kah stayed to the fence on Fretta and had a slice of luck on the hometurn when Roc De Russian hung off the track, opening a run for Fretta.
“I had one sit on this horse in a gallop and just loved her,” Kah said.
“She’s going to a be a star for the future but she’s not quite there yet.
“When she missed the start and didn’t really muster, I knew she wouldn’t get over-racing, but I really wanted to be as close as I could.
“She did muster speed after three furlongs and then it was a very messy race with horses going everywhere and she had to be very mature and experienced to take the run when it was there, which she did.
“She hit the front quite soon because of the horses hanging out and she’s had to be brave and strong through the line, which she was.
“She still did a bit wrong and wanted to run out, but you can’t be unhappy with that effort.”
