Frappuccino took nine starts to win a race but Lou Luciani wasn’t in the least bit fazed ahead of his first victory at the Belmont midweeks in the Glenroy Chaff Maiden (1300m).

Luciani also bred and trains his older full-brother Marocchino who greeted the judge just once in 16 starts before finally coming good as an autumn 4yo to claim a hat-trick of features in the Albany Cup (2100m), Diggers Cup (1800m) and Eurythmic Stakes (2150m).  Marocchino has since improved his career card to 14 wins in 60 starts earning over $1.48 million for a partnership that includes Luciani’s partner Trish Roberts and brothers Mark and Paul Luzi.

They’re also in Frappuccino who lasted long enough along the rails to win by a neck from Romantic Ruler (Universal Ruler) on Wednesday.  “He’s had ongoing issues mainly between his ears but he has the ability to develop into a good horse,” Luciani explained after the front-running victory.  “He can get worked up so we took off the visors and added earmuffs.”

Winning jockey Willie Pike was happy to take the reins for the first time after the gear changes.  “He’s a big, strong horse and he knows it,” Pike said.  “He also knows what he wants so I didn’t interfere.  I would have liked some cover to help him settle but it wasn’t to be today.  Hopefully, the penny is starting to drop.”

His dam Comesitbesideme (McFlirt) won at Ascot but was retired by Roberts after going blind in one eye.  Her first to race was Marocchino followed by the winners Comealilbitcloser (Red Hot Choice), Shakerato (Maschino) and Frappuccino.  Her 2yo filly Barraquito (Maschino) won a Lark Hill trial in September and the mare’s most recent foal is yearling colt by Shooting To Win.