Alpine can gain an Edge on track in Guineas mission
ALPINE Edge’s regular rider Robbie Fradd has assured Craig Williams that the elite Queensland galloper has a huge motor and the Caulfield Guineas-bound colt will thrive in the extra distance of his first Melbourne assignment on Saturday.
Alpine Edge is the Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained galloper who finished runner-up in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January and has won three of his six starts, collecting almost $700,000 in prizemoney.
Queensland senior jockey Fradd has had a strong association with Alpine Edge, partnering him in four of his starts.
Alpine Edge was narrowly toppled last start by Rob Heathcote’s filly Startantes, with that form franked since, with Startantes winning again and now poised to attack the Sydney spring carnival.
Alpine Edge has never raced beyond 1200m but Fradd insists the 1400m of Saturday’s Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude will be in the colt’s sweet spot and he will be even better over the mile of the Group 1 Guineas.
Williams will ride on Saturday and Fradd believes the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey has secured an ace ride.
“I think he will love 1400m and then once he gets over a mile, you will really see a nice horse,” Fradd said.
“The other day at Doomben, it was Alpine Edge’s first start at the tighter track and the race set up really nicely for the winner (Startantes).
“I also had to ride Alpine
Edge a bit more forward than I wanted to, because at Doomben you can’t give too much away.
“He has won his races on the big track at Eagle Farm where he has come from behind and finished powerfully.
“It has always struck me that once this colt gets out over more distance we will see the best of him – I am very, very positive about that.”