Queensland filly back for more

PROMISING youngster Im Frankee will return to the scene of her initial victory tomorrow in a bid to add another win to her tally.

Although based in Queensland, Im Frankee made her debut at Club Menangle on April 14, where she captured a heat of the New South Wales Foundation series.

Returned to trainer Graham Dwyer’s stable in the Sunshine State for a freshen-up, the daughter of Southwind Frank was taken back over the border for a Wagga-based Sales series, where she was runner-up in a heat and the Final.

Undefeated Victorian filly Bumper Crop proved too good on both occasions, scoring with ease on May 19 and 30.

Remaining south, Im Frankee was placed in the care of prominent horseman Jarrod Alchin, with Dwyer pleased by Alchin’s assessment of the two-year-old.

“She stayed down there after Wagga and will remain there until the Foundation series is over,” Dwyer said. “The Foundation Final is coming up, so she’s got another couple of weeks there.

“I never planned to have all her early starts in New South Wales, but they didn’t run any races for two-year-old trotters here until a couple of weeks ago, so it’s just the way things worked out.

“Jarrod has been looking after her for me and is very happy with the way she has settled in and worked.

“We had a little hiccup as she caught a cold after Wagga, but she’s over that and working as well as ever.”

To be driven by local star reinsman Cameron Hart, Im Frankee is the widest drawn in the field of eight.

Despite the tough starting position, Dwyer is confident Im Frankee can overcome the early obstacle.

“It’s a bugger of a draw, but she does have high gate speed,” Dwyer said. “That’s not saying we will use it as I’ll leave that up to Cam.

“She is also great with a sit as well, so the options are there.”

Citing Chief Kenny as the main danger from barrier two, Dwyer is also wary of Majaro Girl from gate seven.

Desperate to break his maiden, Chief Kenny has been the bridesmaid in three of his four starts.

Along with winning the third series heat, Majaro Girl has finished third in two others for astute horseman Anton Golino.

“Chief Kenny keeps finding one better, which includes Frankee, but it’s just a matter of time for him,” Dwyer said. “From a good draw, that time good be this heat.

“Majaro Girl is another which is just so consistent and will no doubt let them know she is there again.”

Following the Foundation Final at Club Menangle in a fortnight, Im Frankee will return home before finally making her local debut.

“She’s got the Qbred Triad up here, so that’s what I’ll aim her at when she gets home,” Dwyer said. “After that, if she is going well enough to warrant another trip, we’ll go further south for the Vicbred Super Series later in the year.”