Connections of long-time favourite Frankie Ferocious are expecting an immediate rebound from the explosive pacer in Saturday night’s $350,000 Group 1 Rising Sun at Albion Park.
The Queensland-owned gelding has dominated pre-post markets on the race since they opened, but a shock first-up flop last Saturday turned things on their head.
Frankie Ferocious led but overraced badly and dropped out to finish second-last.
Part-owner and former trainer Ben Crosby was disappointed but not totally surprised by the run.
“He lives life on the edge a bit this guy, always has been, and his mum (dam) was the same. They can get fired-up and beat themselves,” he said.
“His mum did it and ‘Frankie’ did at his second start, but bounced straight back and won his next couple.”
Crosby said pulling a shoe early in the race and stepping on it was what “set off” Frankie Ferocious.
“Cam said he was basically a passenger after that,” he said. “It was one of those things, you just have to turn the page. The best thing is, he’s come through it well and is good to go for this week.”
Frankie Ferocious drew best of the big guns in gate five and will move into four if emergency, Eye Keep Smiling doesn’t gain a start. He is a $2 favourite.
NSW trainer Rickie Alchin has two runners in the Rising Sun and will take the reins on three-year-old filly Lux Aeterna from the pole. Mick Stanley will be offered the drive on stablemate Soho Spectre (gate two).
The other highlight of the Albion Park will be the rematch of Australia’s two best pacers – Leap To Fame and Swayzee.
The siblings have clashed twice with Swayzee upsetting Leap To Fame in last year’s Blacks A Fake and then the latter getting revenge in the Brisbane Inter Dominion final.
The draw for the Mr Feelgood (2138m) has fuelled even more discussion with Swayzee, who doesn’t have a lot of early speed, drawn barrier one and Leap To Fame off the back row (gate 11).
Leap To Fame goes into the race off a sparkling Albion Park win last Saturday night, while Swayzee hasn’t raced since being treated for a “snotty nose” after his surprise defeat when second to stablemate Nerano at Albion Park on June 23.
It’s a forerunner to their return bout in this year’s $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park on July 27.
• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.