4 Oct 2023Group 1 hope To Be Frank added to a great day for Almanzor when he opened his account at Pakenham.
His victory followed a winning double at Tauranga for our shuttle stallion from G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas prospect Mary Shan and Jivetalkin.
The G1 VRC Derby is at the top of the wish list for To Be Frank, who won at the second time of asking after a debut fourth at Sandown last month.
Trained Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, he was only opposed by three rivals over 1600 metres and the short-priced favourite dashed away in the hands of Mark Zahra to win easing down by a length and three-quarters.
“He’s a very relaxed colt and he sprinted nicely when asked. He had to do that to warrant going to a race like the G3 Caulfield Classic,” stable representative Jack Turnbull said.
Bred by Andari, To Be Frank was purchased out of Bhima Thoroughbreds’ draft by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for A$130,000.
He is a son of the G3 Eulogy Stakes winner Veronica Franco whose half-sister Diamond Hailey won an edition of the Listed Lee Stakes.