There were a couple of surprises for Tyler Schiller on King Frankel in his Beauford (2300m) victory at Newcastle on Saturday.
The first was that he found an easy lead on the $3.30 favourite, but more important with an eye to the future was what happened at the top of the straight.
King Frankel wins with his ears pricked in The Beauford.Credit:Getty
“I didn’t want to lead and then I got there and there was no pressure, which was pretty surprising,” Schiller said.
“I felt we were probably going a bit slow because he has always been a bit one-paced, but he was different today. There was a real sprint there.”
King Frankel led to the turn and then dropped down a gear as he careered away for a 2½-length win from Kukeracha ($6), with Gin Martini ($5) 1¾ lengths away third.
“He has always been a bit of grinder but, when I asked him to go at the 400m mark, he sprinted and it shocked me a bit,” Schiller said. “He just keeps getting better and improving and that was another example of it.”
McDonald keeps punters afloat
The J-Mac factor was seen to full effect when Floating landed a series of bets in the Midway Handicap at Newcastle on Saturday.
Floating was $8.50 on Saturday morning when it was announced that jockey Kerrin McEvoy was indisposed. McDonald picked up the ride and Floating ended up starting the $4.60 favourite as $1000 bets flowed and didn’t stop.
“It is just the way the public see it. Put James McDonald on anything and they just want to back it,” leading rails bookmaker David Dwyer said. “They think he adds three lengths.”
McDonald sat Floating midfield before letting him go through his gears to run away for a 3½-length victory from Annulus ($7.50) with Sebrenco ($5) another 2¼ lengths back in third.
“He just got in a rhythm and it was effortless really,” McDonald said. “He is probably going to get further in time but the mile is just right for him at the moment.
“I was lucky to pick him as a ride and hope Kerrin gets over his COVID quickly.”
Floating’s trainer, Matt Smith, had to pinch himself when looking for a replacement rider and McDonald was available.
“I don’t get him all that often, so it was a real opportunity when you get him, and he didn’t let us down,” Smith said.
Pierossa a quick learner
Pierossa ($19) was always going to be better next year, but she has gone from a maiden to group 3 winner in a week in the Spring Stakes at Newcastle on Saturday.
Sam Clipperton got the best of the daughter of Pierro to win by a neck from Kazalark ($11), with the same measure back to Robusto ($4 fav), which was a fast-closing third.
“She is an Oaks filly, we have always thought that; this is just a bonus,” Clipperton said. “She was only going to get better as she steps up in trip and matures.
“When the race was there to be won, she really knuckled down under hard riding.”
Pierossa is another smart purchase by Triple Crown syndication.
“This time last week we were waiting for her to run at Gosford, now she has a group 3 win, which is great for her owners,” Triple Crown’s Chris Ward said. “We have been thinking she will show her best next year, which is exciting.
“She goes to paddock on Monday, and we will look maybe at the Oaks in Sydney, but more likely the Queensland Oaks.”
