Vinery Stud can claim another Group 1 Golden Slipper with Frolic this Saturday and her connections could end up celebrating with a rain dance at Rosehill.
Frolic is a last-start winner of the G2 Reisling Stakes on a Heavy 9 at Randwick and bookmakers have kept her safe at $11. She was given gate 17 at the barrier draw on Tuesday but scouting wide could be an advantage on another wet track.
She goes into the Golden Slipper Stakes as one of the main chances for trainer Michael Freedman and Suffolk Vale owner Tom Kelly whose family has links to the race going back generations.
Frolic is a daughter of Vinery sire Husson (Arg) and agent Julian Blaxland (FBAA) bought her on behalf of Kelly for $100,000 at the 2016 Inglis Classic yearling sale.
The Kellys stood champion sire Wilkes (Fr) at Newhaven Park and he sired three Golden Slipper winners starting with Vain in 1969. They also bred the other two by Wilkes – John’s Hope and Vivarchi – and bred another two – Burst & Prowl – in the 1990s.
Newhaven Park was also home to Golden Slipper winners Luskin Star, Marauding & Tierce. Luskin Star sired Frolic’s third dam Startling Lass who was placed in the 1988 Golden Slipper won by Star Watch.
Vinery also has a great record in the Golden Slipper. Forensics (2007) was bred by Vinery and champion shuttler More Than Ready supplied Sebring (2008) and Phelan Ready (2009) before Mossman added a fourth with Mossfun (2014).
“The Kellys are great breeders and Frolic has already won the $250,000 Inglis Classic and G2 Reisling Stakes,” Blaxland said. “Win, lose or draw on Saturday, she will be a great addition to their broodmare band later on.
“Blue Sky and our clients also had lots of success with Michael Freedman in Singapore with horses like Super Easy and Better Be The One.”
Blaxland is hoping he will be as composed as Frolic in front of a capacity crowd at Rosehill this Saturday. “I almost missed her win in the Inglis Classic last month,” he admitted. “I bought the last lot at the Classic Sale about 30 minutes before she was due to jump at Randwick. It was a quick dash, to say the least, but I made it in just time.”
FROLIC