Winner: Future Frankie Fabulous

The first of two winners on the programme for Te Akau trainer Mark Walker, Future Frankie (3 f Frankel – Mirai E, by Deep Impact) won the A$32,000 ISLA Vodka Maiden 1860 metres on 29 March at Avoca (Victoria).

Owned by Ozzie Kheir and racing in his familiar navy blue and pale-yellow polka dot silks, Future Frankie is bred to stay, being by the second highest rated sire in the world in Frankel (Galileo), and being out of a mare by Champion Sire Deep Impact (Sunday Silence).

Future Frankie produced a strong finish for third on debut over 1600 metres, before trying hard in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) during three starts in her first campaign, and was looking to improve stepping up in distance after resuming in the Maiden 1500 metres on 10 March at Ballarat.

Ridden by Linda Meech, recording her fifth win in a week, Future Frankie led at the post with a lap to run, assumed control at the 1200m, and although taken on in earnest from the 600m she displayed terrific resilience to hold the challengers at bay.

On Good3 footing, Future Frankie ran the middle-distance (1860m) in 1:56.7 and paid $5.90 & $2.00 on the NZ TAB tote. 

“It’s great to get another winner for Ozzie Kheir, and we’re very grateful to him for entrusting Te Akau to train some of his horses,” Walker said.

“It was a good, positive, ride by Linda (Meech) to position her in front and although the filly is not overly big, she certainly makes up for it in how hard she tries.

“It’s satisfying to get a win on the board with her over ground in her three-year-old season, and she’ll take confidence from the performance.”

Future Frankie was strapped by Flavia Diard.