Valley assignment for Frankel My Dear

A trip to Moonee Valley for a track gallop has shown Robbie Laing the stable’s Frankel colt has taken experience from his first trip to the races.

Frankel My Dear ran fifth at Flemington earlier this month and will contest Saturday’s Listed McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley after experiencing the circuit for the first time on Tuesday.

It was a change of routine for Frankel My Dear who had worked and trialled at Cranbourne before his Flemington debut.

“The only time he’s been a dill was at Flemington,” Laing said.

“He was roaring and screaming but was good today.

“Going to Flemington and then coming here has been good for him.”

Last week, the Chris Waller-trained Merovee won at Newcastle to give the unbeaten Frankel his first Australian winner.

Laing galloped the colt with Missrock, an entrant in Saturday’s Listed Carlyon Stakes.

He said Missrock was a good trackworker and Frankel My Dear had held his own in Tuesday’s gallop.

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“Missrock’s a good galloper and puts in, especially with a trip away,” Laing said.

“He’s race-fit and she’s got a little way to go, but it was a good coupling.”

Laing said wet tracks at Cranbourne and the lack of access to grass gallops has brought Missrock’s return forward.

“I don’t want to go to the races we’ve picked out in a month’s time underdone,” he said.

Laing has the Group Two McEwen Stakes (1000m) on September 9 and the Group One Moir Stakes (1000m) on September 29 in mind for Missrock, runner-up in the Group One Goodwood in May.

Also returning on Saturday is former French galloper Darabad who has been gelded since failing in the Adelaide Cup in March at his only run for Laing.

Darabad runs in a 1500m-handicap and is on a path to the Melbourne Cup.

“They’ll be a bit quick for him but he’s a gelding now and far more genuine,” Laing said.

He said Darabad may have to earn his way into the Melbourne Cup via the Herbert Power Stakes or Geelong Cup.