3 minute read

The best laid plans don’t always work out!

But when that happens and your horse still wins, you'll take it every day of the week.

Such was the case at Newcastle yesterday when multiple Group 1 winning Hawkesbury trainer Garry Frazer had hoped to have his lightly-raced filly Rita May  ridden off the pace in a 3YO Maiden Plate (900m).

When $2.70 favorite Rita May began so well from an inside draw, rider Mikayla Weir took matters into her own hands – and thereafter the outcome was never in doubt.

Having only her second start after a debut second at Gosford on November 20 when she also led, the Xtravagant three-year-old scored by two and a quarter lengths from Rockbarton Pat ($14), with Glacier Queen ($4.40) in third place.

"Rita May ran over 1000m at Gosford, and I brought her back to the 900m at Newcastle with the intent of allowing her to settle," Frazer explained today.

"I thought two or three others would show pace and we could sit off them, but my filly jumped so well that Mikayla had no option but to lead.

"She got there easily, so there was no point trying to hold her back."

Frazer is an unabashed fan of Mikayla Weir, and was delighted to be able to book her for Rita May yesterday.

"I would put her on my horses every time if I could," he said.

"She is a horse person, and not solely a jockey."

Rita May, a daughter of dual New Zealand Group 1 winner Xtravagant, is the first living foal of the All American mare Datable, and races in the famous white and purple colours of the White family.

"Provided Rita May does well, I will keep her going to enable her to get more experience," Frazer said.

He will be back at Newcastle on Saturday week with Hendo's Magic in the $150,000 Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series Final (1600m).

The gelding finished seventh to fellow Hawkesbury representative, Henry Reeves' Classic Train, in a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1850m) at Newcastle yesterday, but his trainer said the run can be completely overlooked.

. It was a successful weekend for multi-skilled Frazer, who also trains a small team of greyhounds.

His black dog Sweet Venom scored at Richmond last night, making it three wins at the track from his only four starts.