Spright impresses down Flemington straight

Garry Frazer made a long-awaited trip back to Melbourne to claim a stakes race at Flemington.

Spright completed a winning hat-trick when she took out the Group Three Crown Resort’s Plate on Thursday.

Ridden by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy, Spright was a well-backed $4.20 favourite in scoring by 1-1/4 lengths from Super Too ($7.50) with Miss Wonderland ($6.50) three quarters of a length away third.

Frazer hadn’t had a runner in Victoria since Sheer Style won the Magic Millions Clockwise Classic at Ballarat in 2013.

The Hawkesbury-based horseman had planned his assault on Thursday’s race after Spright was successful in Listed company at Randwick last month.

That win had followed a maiden victory at Rosehill in September.

“When she won the Brian Crowley I thought we’d come down and have a go at this fillies race,” Frazer said.

“I was a little bit concerned about coming down the straight but we had the right pilot on board.”

Frazer said Spright would go to the spelling paddock before a tilt at the Sydney autumn carnival.

“She’s always been a very nice filly but immature but she’ll get better and be a better filly next time in,” Frazer said.

“We’ll see what’s on in the autumn, but it’ll be one step at a time.”

McEvoy was full of praise for the daughter of Hinchinbrook who was in a difficult position in the run.

“What I liked about her was her turn of foot,” McEvoy said.

“She’s a very promising filly.”