Frolic faces next step of comeback bid

While the spotlight will inevitably fall on Winx during barrier trials at Rosehill, Hugh Bowman has another important assignment on Frolic.

The three-year-old filly is closing in on her first race since April, and first for trainer Edward O’Rourke who was entrusted with the Golden Slipper runner-up when Michael Freedman headed to Hong Kong last year.

Frolic, who had bone chips removed from both knees after running seventh in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes, had her first barrier at Rosehill on January 22.

Bowman gave positive feedback after she ran fifth behind Addictive Nature.

“Hughie rode her and was very pleased with her,” O’Rourke said.

O’Rourke is hoping for a similar message after Monday’s trial over 1000m at Rosehill.

Frolic will resume in the Group Two Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 17.

O’Rourke said Frolic also had the Group One Surround Stakes (1400m) and Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes (1500m) on her agenda over autumn.

“We’re not sure she’ll stay that Coolmore distance or not yet so we’ll give her the option and go from there,” O’Rourke said.

Frolic’s rivals in the Light Fingers may include unbeaten filly Charlayne from the Chris Waller stable.

After being held back as a two-year-old, Charlayne won her debut at Canterbury last month and added another win at Rosehill on Saturday.