03 October 2020

Front-running Frank secures Newmarket riches

03 October 2020

Lewis Edmunds celebrated the biggest winner of his career after Just Frank showed his rivals a clean pair of heels in the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes at Newmarket.

Victory for the 21-year-old rider looked in little doubt from the moment the stalls opened, with the gelded son of Epaulette making every yard of the running in the six-furlong contest.

Racing almost alone for the entire contest, the 12-1 shot found plenty for pressure to cross the line four and a half lengths clear of runner-up Gift List.

Edmunds said: “I always had plenty of confidence in him and he made every yard of the running the last day he won.

“When he was out in front, he was happy where he was and he was never trying to look for company.

“I was half-worried he might not have the speed over six, but he had bags of speed yet he ran over seven the last day and ran like he would stay a mile.”

Edmunds was quick to thank winning trainer Les Eyre for his support in giving him such opportunities.

He added: “I only lost my claim two seasons back and it has been quite tough. Thanks to Les, he and his owners have really stood by me. I can’t thank them enough and to win something like this is a nice way to repay them.”

Looking ahead, Edmunds believes Just Frank could develop into a potential Royal Ascot contender next year.

He added: “Since day one, I’ve been ranking him on the feel he has given me. I’ve always thought he is a Royal Ascot horse in the making next year. I think the track will suit him.

“In my head, as far as a three-year-old campaign, that is where I would be aiming. The Jersey or Britannia – those three-year-old races we could look at. Les knows what he is doing though.”

Mystical Dawn (15-8 favourite) made light work of testing conditions to make his debut a winning one by half a length in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.

William Buick, rider, said the Charlie Appleby-trained: “It was a good first time out on bad ground. He is a nice well bred horse and I thought he was good there. He was green early on but came into the race nicely and finished off really good.

“He would be better on better ground. A mile is fine for now but he will get further next year.”

Following the race Mystical Dawn was introduced at 50-1 for next year’s Derby by Betfair.

Existent set up a return to Group race company after securing an emphatic six-length success on his first start since finishing down the field in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in the Prestige Agri Maiden Stakes to complete a double for trainer John Gosden.

The Newmarket handler said of the 5-2 shot: “Things didn’t go right in the Coventry and we have given him some time off. He has come back well here and handled the conditions.

“He is a bigger,stronger horse now. He ran well here when he was third in one of those maidens in the first week of June. If he is in good order, we will look at the Horris Hill.”

Nazeef (17-2) got the ball rolling for Gosden when claiming her second Group One success of the season in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes.

Hughie Morrison will consider options aboard for useful dual-purpose performer Urban Artist (11-8), who claimed the British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap by two lengths to complete a hat-trick of wins for the campaign.

Morrison said: “Oisin (Murphy) felt he didn’t want to go too quick, but he felt he went a bit steady given that she stays with her long stride.

“We were eight pounds 8lb wrong with the runner-up (Ice Sprite) and have confirmed it with two lengths difference.

“If you had seen her 18 months ago, you wouldn’t believe what she is achieving now, as she was the slowest thing I’ve ever trained.

“I was embarrassed to take her to a bumper at Taunton 18 months ago, but she has gone from strength to strength.

“I would definitely think about taking her abroad for a Listed or Group Three race as she goes on this soft ground.”

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