From Racing Post: SIR HENRY CECIL plans to run Frankel over a mile and a quarter for the first time next season in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, where he feels the champion three-year-old could "be an even better horse at that trip." Frankel is undefeated in his nine career starts, all of which have been over 7f or 1m, and is having a quiet few weeks after a stellar 2011 in which he amassed more than £1.1million from five races, including four Group 1 successes. Speaking on his website, Cecil said: "Frankel has had a great year and is hugely exciting. He really has caught the public eye and it was great that he has given an interest to so many people. "Hopefully he will go on and I hope, by the time of the Eclipse Stakes, he will be ready to tackle a mile and a quarter. Personally I think it is a distance he will get well now that he has learnt to settle better and he could be an even better horse at that trip. "Let's hope he winters well and remains sound. Racing needs champions and let uspray that he can continue where he left off." Coral reacted to the news by pricing up Frankel in a match bet with this year's Eclipse winner So You Think. They went 2-7 about Frankel, with So You Think a 5-2 shot, while they madeFrankel a 1-8 shot against the 5-1 available for So You Think for the Lockinge. "Sir Henry Cecil has said the Coral-Eclipse could be Frankel's first attempt at ten furlongs, and with this year's impressive winner, So You Think, also staying in training, we could have a race to savour next July," said Coral's David Stevens. On the retiring Midday, Cecil added: "Midday hasbeen such a consistent mare and with six Group 1s to her credit she has proved herself to be a real champion. "At the Breeders' Cup last week she showed signs that she had had enough and, although she by no means disgraced herself, her performance was a long way from her best. "We will be sorry to see her leave Warren Place but we shall keep an eye on her and visit her at Banstead Manor Stud."
Sorry, that thread title is a bit misleading: obviously it's not his only/major target for the season!
Must be the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot then Come on Black Caviar, you might be a filly but grow some bollocks. Frankel v Black Caviar is what we want to see, not Black Caviar v Piss Poor European Sprinters. Never going to happen though!
Im suprised they aren't going to Royal Ascot, the POW wouldhave been an ideal starting point. I do wonder wether Frankel realy will be a better 4yo, I feel that 3yo weight allowance is invaluable, I personally don't see him improving enough to keep up the same level without the weight for age, particularly when he was so dominant even as a 2yo. That's not to say I don't feel he can keep winning, I just feel something might be able to give him a hard race, maybe a 3yo getting weight. As far as So You Think is concerned, Frankel will blow his doors off. I'd personally be amazed if Coolmoore allow the clash, as there just on a hiding to nothing
In the Sporting Life he was pretty clear that Frankel would start in the Lockinge and then go to the Eclipse
If I were SYT's owners I would relish the clash with Frankel over 10f. Nothing to lose and so much to gain.
Well I suppose the bubble has burst with SYT, as far as superstar status is concerned. So maybe your right Ron, they don't have alot of reputation left to lose
Does this mean that the mighty Frankel will not be appearing at Royal Ascot. Surely there is a big gap if he goes to the Lockinge and then straight to the Eclipse. You would have to think that the Queen Anne would fall into the cake-walk category too. Against his peers who he's already beaten and no weight allowances to contend with.
Absolutley - they've not pratted about with SYT so far - based on running him in the Arc, Champions Day, Breeders Cup etc I think he'll be there at the kind of races Frankel wants to be part of. If there isn't a SYT - Frankel race at some point next season I'll be staggered. I'd be fantastic to see Black Caviar vs Frankel, but I can't see BC being run on the longer distances - by the time she gets here and up to a mile Frankel will be up at 10f. Shame - I'd love to see them let him stay over a mile just for that race...
Zenyatta - Sir Henry originally said the Lockinge would be the starting point and then Ascot fits in nicely with the Queen Anne or Prince Of Wales, before the Eclipse for the first half of the season. I would guess if that's stuck to then the Queen Anne cakewalk would be on the agenda!
