Just hours before Itsrainingwilliam put his best foot forward in the WSB Gr3 Listed Legal Eagle Stakes at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, Gaynor Rupert’s silks were carried by an Australian Gr3 winner.
Robbie Griffiths and Matt De Kock’s decision to concentrate on the Gr3 K and H Smith SA Fillies Classic with Let’sbefrankbaby paid dividends when the daughter of Frankel outstayed her rivals to win the 2500-metre event at Morphettville.
Jamie Mott rides a strong finish on Let’sbefrankbaby (Pic – Mike de Kock)
She is owned by international partners Gaynor Rupert of Drakenstein Stud, fellow South African Larry Nestadt and US-based Gary Barber.
De Kock explained that rather than target the Australasian Oaks over 2000m, they decided to focus on the longer Adelaide feature event for three-year-old fillies.
After Iphimedia was a runner up in the Group 3 by a head in the race prior, Franky went one better to cap a great carnival for the team.
“We earmarked this race after the Oaks in Melbourne (where she finished sixth),” De Kock said. “We gave the other race a miss in a bid to save her energy as at that level they could be a bit sharp for her. She’s an out-and-out stayer. This was the best race for her and we geared her preparation towards it.”
The win also continued the success the stable has had with their three-year-old stayers which included last week’s South Australian Derby placegetter Aberfeldie Boy.
Two years ago, they decided to go down the path of developing stayers and purchased yearlings with staying pedigrees.
De Kock thanked Jamie Mott for getting the best out of Let’sbefrankbaby after she was headed by the Julius Sandhu-trained filly Moya Lass, who was ridden by Damien Oliver.
