Freeze Frame Totally Game

Second on debut, Freeze Frame (3 g Vadamos - Snow Petal, by Bernadini) justified favouritism in the $14,000 Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on 11 January at Matamata.

Having his second start on the home course, after clocking the fastest last 600m (35.1) on the day when faced with soft footing on 23 December, Freeze Frame had no trouble notching his first win, showed a turn of foot on testing ground, and appears a nice prospect for the future.

In a field decimated by defections because of the unseasonal Heavy10 footing, Freeze Frame, ridden by Opie Bosson, led home a stable trifecta with three-year-old fillies Puzzle Solved (Rubick) and Zakaya (Reliable Man) finishing second and third respectively.

In the race sponsored by NZB Karaka 2023 Trainers' Series, Freeze Frame ran 1200 metres in 1:16.5 and paid $1.70 & $1.30 on the NZ TAB tote, shortening from an earlier $2.40 fixed odds quote.

While many were scratched from the race, Freeze Frame followers could have taken some comfort on handling heavy footing from his trial effort in September at Tauranga, where he was not rushed, settling back last and five lengths off the leaders at the 600m, he cleared heels rounding the home turn and once through, finished strongly for second.

“It was a good win today,” said trainer Mark Walker. “He's a horse we've always liked, taken a bit of time but will improve on better track conditions also.”

Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM for $80,000 at the Karaka 2021 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Rich Hill Stud, Freeze Frame is owned by Te Akau Frozen Fame Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM).

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “He's a great mover, a really nice colt and has a lot of class about him.

“The family has shown to leave good horses. He's from a nice young mare that is on the move and has immediate progeny that are showing good ability.”

His sire, Vadamos (Monsun), was the Leading First Season Sire at the Karaka Yearling Sales in 2020.

An internationally bred and performed racehorse, Vadamos is by the top-class Monsun who has sired three Melbourne Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) winners.

Good judges had commented that the progeny of Vadamos are “really good types across the board and some of the best movers on the sales grounds”.

Grand-dam Zirna (Deputy Governor) was a tremendous race mare that won the NZ Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (Gr. 1, 1600m) and went on to become Singapore Horse of the Year. In turn, she became a very good broodmare, leaving four-time winner and Group Two placed Crafty Irna (Starcraft), along with multiple winners Snitzel's Goddess (Snitzel) and I've Gotta Feeling (Encosta de Lago).

Freeze Frame was strapped by Olivia Hill.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz