In The Winning Frame

Very consistent galloper Freeze Frame (3 g Vadamos - Snow Petal, by Bernadini) won the $30,000 Rating 65 1200 metres on Saturday at Avondale.

Having resumed with a big finish on a Heavy8 track for second in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 6 May, and fighting well from last on Heavy10 going in the Rating 65 1300 metres on 20 May, both at Te Rapa, Freeze Frame had the benefit of weight relief to carry 57.5kg under Te Akau apprentice Niranjan Parmar (a2) and rated a top three chance from barrier two. 

From seventh, Freeze Frame got closer inside the 600m, received room at the 300m, and drew clear to win easily by a neat length, while stable-mate Ragamuffin (Belardo) capitalised on a handy trip to finish third for stable apprentice Jess Allen (a4).  

“It was a brilliant ride of Parmar's and I think he's a nice progressive horse,” said trainer Mark Walker.

“He'll only get better once he gets a bit older and strengthens more, and I also think he'll get over more distance in the future as well.

“It was a very nice effort to win and he's got the record of a young horse with plenty of potential.”

In the race sponsored by Westbrook Cellar Door Waimauku, Freeze Frame ran 1200 metres in 1:15.5 on Heavy10 footing and among a three-way push for favouritism he paid $4.30 & $1.60 on the NZ TAB tote. 

A Maiden winner over 1200 metres in January at Matamata, Freeze Frame now has two wins, four seconds, and third, from just eight starts. 

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 the Te Akau Frozen Fame Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM). 

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “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 dam Snow Petal has left three dual winners, including Group race performed Platinum Petals (Deep Field) and Platinum Road (Declaration of War), who have each won over 1600 metres. 

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. 

His 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 Loka Manu.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz