Fravashi now hot Guineas favourite

24 February 2009

THREE-year-old Fravashi put a spate of poor luck behind him to take a strong grip on favouritism for next month’s group 1 Cadbury Guineas at Flemington after breaking through to win yesterday’s group 2 D’Urban (Autumn) Stakes at Caulfield.

The Falbrav colt, bought in 2007 as a yearling for $550,000 by Sheikh Mohammed, had beaten himself in his first two runs back from a spell, according to his relieved trainer, Peter Snowden.

“But he cut down his errors today and it was a pretty professional win,” the trainer said. “He really seemed to appreciate having the blinkers on today as it helped him concentrate on getting the job done.”

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy said Fravashi was maturing with race experience. “He did not do things wrong as he had at his first two runs back and the race panned out nicely for him. I think he’ll be even more effective on the bigger track at Flemington as well.”

After a pulsating dash up the straight Fravashi got up to beat Nicconi by a short neck. We asked for a contest and a contest we got! Third home, another length and three quarters back, was Heart of Dreams.

Fravashi, by Fairy King’s champion son Falbrav, is one of three city winners from the winning and stakes performed Dehere mare Angelic Smile. A sister to the stakes winner Russian Caravan, Angelic Smile is the dam of the Group Three Vanity Stakes winner Pure Joy.

Bred by Ron and Debbie Gilbert’s Highgrove Stud operation in Queensland, Fravashi has raced on seven occasions for four wins and two minor placings. His earnings have now reached $434,550.

A Group One win in the Australian Guineas would turn Fravashi into a valuable stallion prospect for the Darley operation.

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