Juanmo Stakes 2016: Smith covers all bases with Frill Seeking

Dual acceptor Frill Seeking is almost certain to have her preferred racing surface irrespective of where trainer Matthew Smith decides to run the promising mare.

Frill Seeking is entered for 1200m-races in Brisbane and Sydney and either way she is expected to have track conditions that Smith says will bring out the best in the five-year-old.

Both meetings on Saturday are expected to be run on rain-affected tracks.

Frill Seeking is an acceptor for the Listed Juanmo Stakes at Eagle Farm as well as the Pacific Boating Handicap at Rosehill.

Smith’s preference is for Frill Seeking to return to Brisbane where she finished down the course in the Bright Shadow Handicap at Doomben won by stablemate Palazzo Pubblico.

“If for some reason she doesn’t go to Brisbane it won’t matter too much because it will be soft at Rosehill,” Smith said.

“She is a different horse with some give in the ground,” Smith said.

The barrier draws have not helped Smith’s decision with Frill Seeking coming up with the outside gate at Rosehill and 17 of 18 at Eagle Farm.

In 16 starts Frill Seeking has managed to win just three times.

But she gave a glimpse of her true potential in a Group Three appearance during the spring when beaten less than a length when fourth in The Nivison at Randwick.

Smith said Frill Seeking raced too far out of her ground when ninth behind Palazzo Pubblico.

“She usually likes to race up on the speed but she got back further than I expected,” he said.

“On the plus side the run didn’t knock her around and I’d say she is in for a good campaign.”

Rosehill was rated well into the heavy range on Wednesday after 23mm of overnight rain.

Trainer Chris Waller left Encosta Line out of the Rosehill entries and the three-year-old will go straight into the Queensland Derby on Saturday week.

Encosta Line was scratched from the Grand Prix Stakes last week because of an irregular blood count but Waller said he had not missed any work.

 

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au

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