Out of the winner’s circle since capturing the Group III Kevin Hayes Stakes at Caulfield in February, quality Frankel mare Argentia scored a barnstorming win in the Group III Paramount+ Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) down the straight at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
Ridden by Damian Oliver for Anthony and Sam Freedman, Argentia came from worse than midfield to hold the challenge of the fast-finishing favourite Triple Missile (Smart Missile) a half-length with straight track specialist The Astrologist (Zoustar) three-quarter length back in third.
With her second stakes success, Argentia advances her record to three wins and three seconds from nine starts with earnings of $487,950.
“She’s been a mare that we’ve had a big opinion of for a very long time and as (owner) Deb (Camilleri) would know, it’s been frustrating because we’ve felt that she’s getting to the top level and for a few reasons it just hasn’t eventuated but credit to all the staff at home, they’ve done a great job,” Sam Freedman said.
“She’s now two from two down the straight, she’s shown a liking to it, there’s going to be some nice races in the Autumn for her.”
“She loves a strong speed, I think Olly summed it up perfectly, he was just very patient and picked his way through. We’ll give a little bit of thought to next week (G1 Champions Sprint) with her. Maybe she’s not up to them but it’s Cup week, she’s in great form and these mares in form sometimes it’s just best to keep them going.”
Argentia carries the colours of John and Deb Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds after her purchase by James Harron for $670,000 out of the Evergreen Stud Farm draft at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
The daughter of Frankel is the eighth foal of the champion Encosta De Lago mare Princess Coup, which was purchased by E Thoroughbreds for $3million at the 2009 National Broodmare Sale.
A 4-time Group 1 winner of over $3.8 million Princess Coup has six winners from seven to race. Her best before Argentia was the very talented sprinter Thewizardofoz (Redoute’s Choice), a Group III winner in Hong Kong.
Princess Coup has a 2yo I Am Invincible filly, a yearling colt by Dundeel. And foaled a Snitzel colt on October 20.
Juddmonte Farm’s Frankel (GB) is enjoying a golden run in Australia. He had two winners last week on Cox Plate day at Moonee Valley with Francesco Guardi (IRE) in the Group II Moonee Valley Cup and My Whisper in the Group III Tesio Stakes.
