Emotions at a premium

EMOTIONS were at a premium in Melton last night after exciting youngster Ideal Frankie captured an Australian Pacing Gold Final.

Obviously the excitement of winning a $100,000 feature played a role in the occasion, but it was remembering Ideal Frankie’s namesake which pulled the heartstrings.

Ideal Frankie is named in honour of co-owner John Montesano’s brother, Frank, who passed away last year.

“It has been an amazing ride with her, but it got pretty emotional last night,” trainer and co-owner Allan McDonough said. “John wanted to buy a yearling in honour of his brother and we actually bought her after the APG Sale.

“She didn’t meet the reserve and so was passed in, but we picked her up soon after.

“Frank was Frankie, so naming her was obvious.

“After the race I couldn’t even look at John for a bit as I knew I would cry as it was that emotional.

“We just couldn’t be more thrilled that the one we picked to race in his name has turned out to be pretty nice.”

With Mark Pitt holding the reins, Ideal Frankie led with ease from barrier four to trounce her rivals by 42.60 metres in 1:55.9 over 1720 metres.

Following the pacemaker throughout, Sweetsuccess was second, with Grandiosa a half-head away third.

Unbeaten from three starts, the daughter of American Ideal boasts an average winning margin of 37.1 metres.

Along with the lion’s share of the stake, Ideal Frankie’s victory also earned her a berth in the $500,000 slot race The Protostar at Albion Park on July 11.

“Getting her into The Protostar is a goal we had in mind, so to achieve that is great,” McDonough said. “We had a bit of a celebration last night, but if she happens to win in Queensland, it will be huge.”