OTI Racing-owned galloper Wee Frankie is set to make his Australian racing debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday after he was included in the acceptances for the Schweppes Handicap (1600m).
Tye Angland has been booked to ride Wee Frankie in the Schweppes Handicap at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Wee Frankie made his racing debut under the care of Keith Dalgliesh and he made a winning start to his career with a comfortable win in the Billy Leslie Open Maiden Stakes at Hamilton on May 16 last year before he made it two wins from as many starts with a win at Haydock on July 4.
The Heliostatic gelding suffered his maiden racing defeat when he finished fifth in the Ladbrokes Lanark Silver Bell Handicap at Hamilton on August 22 and he was purchased by OTI Racing after he failed to fire in the Kilkerran Cup at Ayr on September 18.
Wee Frankie joined the Chris Waller stable in December of last year and he was given plenty of time to settle into his new environment before he made his first public appearance with a quite barrier trial behind Darciwood at Rosehill Gardens on February 3.
The four-year-old was sent back to the spelling paddock following his maiden barrier trial in Australia, but he returned with a fair trial over 900 metres at Rosehill Gardens on June 26 and he impressed when he was third behind El Sasso in a barrier trial over 1030 metres at the same venue on July 7.
The OTI Racing team has heard nothing expect positive reports from Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman, but they revealed in a statement that they expect the promising stayer to take plenty of improvement out of his first race start in Australia.
“The horse has gone through a significant maturing and acclimatisation phase with the leading trainer since his arrival,” OTI said in a statement.
“A positive 1030m trial at Rosehill last week confirmed that the horse was ready to make his Australian debut.
“Hugh Bowman was on board Wee Frankie in the trial and reported that 1600m would suit the horse first-up, but that he would be most competitive in races over 2000m plus.”
OTI Racing also have Fledged in action for Darren Weir at Donald on Thursday, while Melbourne Cup hopeful Manndawi will contest the Listed Challenge Stakes (2800m) at Leopardstown in Ireland for trainer Ed Dunlop before Moe Cup winner Count Of Limonade returns to racing at Flemington on Saturday.
