Star set to leave rivals out in the cold

HIS name conjures Arctic images, but Steel Frost is one of South Australia’s hottest racehorses. And at Morphettville today, the flying five-year-old is primed to again turn the blowtorch on his rivals when he steps out in the feature $100,000 Christmas Handicap.

In a message that will provide cold comfort to his opponents, trainer Will Clarken expects Steel Frost to at least run to the level that delivered the gelding a powerhouse victory in the $100,000 City of Marion Stakes at Morphettville just over a fortnight ago. That win stretched his record to five wins from just six starts since joining the Clarken barn in the middle of the year.

“He’s actually put on a bit of weight since the City of Marion,” Clarken said. “You’d think, all things being equal, he’d be hard to beat again in the Christmas.”

Latest UBET fixed-odds markets certainly reflect that sentiment, Steel Frost rated the dominant favourite at $1.85 ahead of last year’s Christmas Handicap winner Casino Wizard ($5).

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Casino Wizard,” the trainer said.

“He’s flying at the moment, and he meets us a couple of kilos better this time.”

Steel Frost carries 56kg today, compared with 54kg in the City of Marion, while Casino Wizard maintains his 59.5kg impost. Clarken also saddles up in-form mare Sudden Wealth in the Christmas Handicap (1200m). The five-year-old, who has been marked $13 by UBET, finished stoutly for third in the City of Marion, beaten just over 2½ lengths.