Saturday 31 October 2020

Frankel Watch: Daddy Frank, Just Held (31st October)


Late October, Newcaslte is the venue. 

Fifteen minutes past five and the Frankel fans are getting excited. It's the Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side on Football EBF Novice Stakes (Class 5) (2yo) over 7f (14yds) on Standard going. 

John Gosden fields a son of Frankel out of a twice-raced mare [Smart Change] who didn't exactly shine on the track. It's interesting to note this bay colt was a late foal [9th June] in the ownership of John Gunther & Tanya Gunther, a home bred. Race fans will remember the success of Without Parole (pictured) at Royal Ascot's St James' Palace Stakes (Group 1) in 2018, when beating Gustav Klimt by half a length. Connections will be hopeful Without Parole can make an impact as a first-season sire standing at Newsells Park Stud.

Without Parole was similarly sired by Frankel in 2015.     

A ten-strong field of two-year-olds, saw a mixed bag of horses and trainers, with the hot-pot favourite, Komachi, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin. This son of Kingman was a 6/4f when making his debut at Kempton when finishing a creditable third place some three lengths behind Oo De Lally who was something of a surprise when winning on his second start at 125/1. 

Komachi was all the rage in the market starting at 5/6f. However, there was plenty of confidence behind Daddy Frank who was backed from an opening price of 9/2 - 7/2. For much of the race it looked as this Frankel offspring was in need of the race when towards the rear. However, this debutante made good headway 2f out, disputed lead 1f out, ridden and briefly led inside final furlong, headed but kept on towards finish, just held. 

Daddy Frank finished a neck behind Komachi beating the third by three lengths. 

Racing Post Reporter said: Daddy Frank, who's a June foal, is out of a half-sister to the dam of Without Parole, who won in impressive fashion here on his debut for these connections three years ago. He shaped promisingly on his debut, quickening up well into contention before finding the more experienced winner just a bit too strong in the finish. He shouldn't have too much trouble getting off the mark. [Steffan Edwards]

Other two-year-olds sired by Frankel in training with John Gosden include: 

Regent, Senita, Stilleto, Flaunt, Counsel, Social Status, Zagato, Netherton, Franklet, Seventh Kingdom, Side Shot, Restitution, Hopefully Darling & Frinkle, Attendent.