FREDERICK GETS GREATER

 

When Frederick The Dane was placed in a Group 3 Blue Diamond Stakes lead-up on debut, there was reason for all associated with the gelding to be optimistic, even excited about what lay ahead.

If only it were that easy.

Frederick The Dane broke through for his first win at his fifth start and it be another five starts before he would taste victory again.

The speedy son of Danerich broke through for his long overdue second win at Cranbourne. After showing so much promise early on, the quirky type has taken quite a bit to work out.

A one-eyed blinker coupled with the drop back in distance did the trick, seeing him back in the winner’s circle over 1000 metres in a Bench Mark 64 event.

Ben Hayes had indicated that he was ready to move into the doghouse if he couldn’t get ‘Fred’ back winning due to the pressure applied by the No.1 ticket holder. Racing.com’s Grace Ramage, Ben’s partner in life, is part of the ownership group along with his mother Prue.

Experimenting with blinkers, headgear worn by horses featuring a cup over each eye to restrict peripheral vision, can have a positive impact. However, the Hayes family – from patriarch Colin, to David and brother Peter – have used a one-eyed blinker to great effect.

Every horse is an individual and it is a matter of establishing what helps them to focus on the task at hand. So far so good,

Frederick The Dane will most likely head back to Cranbourne in a couple of weeks for another suitable 1000 metre race, which should set up well for him.