Frankel ready to fire

JOCKEY Tom Queally is confident a lack of race fitness will not be a problem for Frankel when he makes his eagerly anticipated return to action in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury this afternoon.

Following an unbeaten juvenile campaign culminating in a brilliant display in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, Henry Cecil’s colt heads the Classic markets for both the Qipco 2000 Guineas and the Investec Derby.

Queally believes Frankel is so exceptional, he may not even need to be at his best to make a winning comeback.

“The trial race isn’t really going to tell us a lot other than how fit he is and what sort of shape he’d go to the Guineas in,” he told Racing UK Radio.

“I hope he doesn’t have to be fit because then he’ll have a lot in reserve, but he’s fairly fit and he’s had a good preparation.

“This horse is quite athletic, so you’d be hoping fitness wouldn’t be an issue.”

Queally is unsure whether or not Frankel has improved since his juvenile year, but he is keeping everything crossed that he can keep his huge reputation intact.

“It’s a learning curve but we’re fairly sure the horse has got an awful lot of ability,” he continued.

“It’s a trial race towards the Guineas and you’d like to think that hopefully he’ll come out and win it.

“Win, lose or draw (in the Guineas), we’ll judge where to go for the rest of the season based on that performance.

“Some people have said to me he won’t come off the bridle in the Guineas, but it is a Guineas and it’s a Classic. Every horse is a danger at that level.”

Whatever happens in the Guineas, the question remains whether Frankel possesses the requisite stamina to stay the mile and a half of the Derby.

Cecil has expressed some doubts about the matter and Queally is also uncertain.

“Henry is right to talk it (the Derby) down. He’s a quick horse and he’s got gears. If he was to stay, it looks like he’ll be the real deal, but who knows?” the jockey added.

“He can still go round and pick up a lot of races this year and be a huge prospect for stud without winning the Derby.

“It’s not the be all and end all. It would be lovely if he was to stay and obviously we’re going to think about it and ponder it, but we’re not going to find out Guineas day.

“It would be unfair on ourselves and the horse to guess what is going to happen.”

Queally’s star has risen considerably in the last few seasons and he is keen to acknowledge the equine stars, including Frankel, who have made him the jockey he is today.

He said: “I’ve been very fortunate to have had a huge lift for the last couple of seasons and had some very good horses to carry me to the stage I’m at now.

“If he (Frankel) is to be as good as what people are saying, jockeys go their whole careers to find a horse like him.

“I’m very fortunate to be part of it and let’s hope there’s a huge story to come and it will last well into the season.”