March 6, 2017Golden Slipper Contender for Newhaven Park
The Kelly family of Newhaven Park have a glorious history of Golden Slipper success and have the opportunity to write a new chapter this year after their rapidly improving filly Frolic stormed home to defeat Golden Slipper favourite She Will Reign in the Group II ATC Reisling Stakes at Randwick.
A last start winner of the $250,000 Inglis Classic, the Michael Freedman trained filly was ridden an inspired race on the heavy ground by Tommy Berry. He allowed Frolic to settle at the rear and rode her stone cold until switching her to the extreme outside fence when turning for home.
While the favourite She Will Reign quickly surged past From Within to take the lead in the middle of the track, Frolic found the fast lane and zoomed to the line to win the important 1200 metre Slipper lead up by more than two lengths.
“She was never comfortable, but as soon as she got on that better ground she sprinted quickly as we saw the other day,” said Michael Freedman, referring to her last to first win in the Inglis Classic last month. “It was only a restricted race the other day and the conditions today are far from ideal, but she can only do what she’s done. “She’s gained a start in the Golden Slipper now and we have a nice two weeks into the race.”
Despite her first defeat, She Will Reign remains a $4 favourite for the Golden Slipper. A $100,000 Inglis Classic purchase for Blue Sky Bloodstock from the Vinery stud draft, Frolic carries the same colours as ill-fated Group I winner Peeping and runs for the Kelly family’s Suffolk Vale partnership managed by Tom Kelly.
By proven Group I sire Husson (Arg), Frolic has won two races and finished second twice from four starts earning $359,600. She is the second winner for Group III winning Redoute’s Choice mare Leveller, a grand-daughter of former brilliant Group II winner Startling Lass, a full sister to Group I VATC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Midnight Fever.
The yearling full brother to Frolic was sold at the 2017 NZB Select Yearling Sale for just $10,000 to renowned yearling judge Paul Willetts. A quiet achiever on the Vinery stud roster, Husson covered 54 mares last spring at a fee of $13,200. Frolic will give the Kelly family another opportunity to win the Golden Slipper.
“We’re very proud of the role the farm has played in the Golden Slipper and the association we have with so many of the great horses who have won the race,” says Newhaven’s John Kelly.
“Newhaven Park has been fortunate enough to have bred four winners (Prowl, Burst, Vivarchi, John’s Hope), owned another (Marauding) and stood three more winners (Luskin Star, Marauding, Tierce).” Most recently, the Kelly family homebred filly English ran second to Vancouver in 2015, so Frolic will be seeking to go one better.