A BOLD move from trainer-driver Bruce Harpley gained Frith the early advantage and the star mare did the rest to win the $40,800 Cordina Chicken Farms Young Cup (2480m) on Saturday night.
Starting from the outside back on the second row Frith ($2.80) charged forward when the mobile released the field, working three and four wide before finding the front.
From there she was able to dictate terms, holding all her rivals at bay to win by 2.2 metres in track record time.
Frith lowered the Karloo Mick’s 2010 track record by one hundredth of a second as she clocked 1:59.4 for the marathon trip.
Harpley was planning on making the early move, but when Mister Jay Cee was scratched and the emergency Ardle McArdle gained a run he had second thoughts.
“It was the plan before the reserve got in as I was drawn behind Saloon Passage and I thought it was a possibility as he was going forward I was a good chance of getting in front of Heza Thrill and Blazin N Cullen,” Harpley said.
“I thought if I could get around them first it would keep them guessing after that.
“But when the reserve got in and Ardle McArdle was going to go back I think it wasn’t so good, but bit the bullet as she is quick away to see if I could find the death or lead quick and dictate from there.”
Still the plan worked to perfection as Frith held off the fast-finishing Heza Thrill ($6.00) with Blazin N Cullen ($2.40 fav) finishing third.
Running home in a last half of 57 seconds Harpley was very impressed with how the mare responded following her fourth-placed finish behind Adore Me when she set an Australasian record of 1:47.7 at Menangle two weeks ago.
Harpley had a big night out on the Riverina’s richest scoring victories with Sokys Bigbullet and Frith’s half-brother Stening both winning.
Harpley used Sydney junior driver Chris Geary to claim onto the front row and it was the key to reversing last week’s result.
Sokys Bigbullet was able to lead from barrier one and held off the Mighty Gift by a half neck.
While Harpley doesn’t have any plans with Frith just yet, he’s got one eye on the Carousel for Sokys Bigbullet.
Stening took benefit from his first up run to score a comfortable win with Harpley in the gig.
Trainer Bernie Kelly has set him for the Bathurst Gold Chalice.
