The Group 1 $2m Harrolds Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Day One Of The Championships on Saturday will be an all boys affair after the only filly in the race, Frankely Awesome, was scratched this morning.
Global Exchange, above, is one of the top fancies in the 2019 Australian Derby at Randwick,. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Trainer Kris Lees advised Racing New South Wales stewards that he was not completely happy with the way that Frankely Awesome had recovered after her tough run last Saturday at Rosehill when second to Verry Elleegant in the Group 1 $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).
Stewards accepted Lees’ request to withdraw Frankely Awesome from the Australian Derby but the filly will need a veterinary clearance before taking her place in the Group 1 $1m Heineken 3 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on Day Two of The Championships on Saturday week.
“I just would have like to see her pick up a little better with the seven-day turnaround,” Lees told Racenet.
“There wasn’t a lot in it but I just feel it’s in the horse’s best interests to wait the extra week in the early stages of her career.”
Lees also confirmed that Hugh Bowman will be back aboard Frankely Awesome in the Australian Oaks replacing Jason Collett who was aboard the Frankel filly in the Vinery Stud Stakes as well as her previous start when second in the Group 3 $200,000 Carlton Draught Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange on March 15.
Ladbrokes.com.au have Frankely Awesome marked as the second pick at $5 for the Australian Oaks behind the Chris Waller trained Vinery Stud Stakes winner Verry Elleegant who sits at the top of the market order at $2.10.
Betting for the Australian Derby at Ladbrokes.com.au has the Mike Moroney trained stablemates Arrogant and Chapada sharing favouritism at $5.50 ahead of the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Global Exchange and Robbie Laing’s Stars Of Carrum at $9.50.
The post Frankely Awesome to miss 2019 Australian Derby, will wait for the Oaks appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
