Chasing an elusive Group victory, Jeff Chignell is hoping box one is kinder to Fred Rose in Thursday night’s Group 1 Sportsbet Harrison Dawson heats than it was to his mother, Dash Of Rose, in the 2017 G1 Sapphire Crown Final.
A homegrown son of champion 2015 Harrison Dawson hero Fernando Bale, Fred Rose has earned a crack at G1 glory with a career-best run of form, winning four of his past five starts, boosting his record to 13 from 38.
Three of those wins came at Sandown Park, including a 29.45sec PB on April 20.
While his winning streak came to an end last Thursday, Fred Rose lost no admirers with a narrow defeat to high-flying female Baby Jaycee, where he beat home Harrison Dawson heavyweights Amron Boy and Elite Alex.
“He’s always had ability – he’s always had it,” said Rosedale-based Jeff Chignell.
“He’s just got his confidence back now and he’s fit, healthy and happy!
“He was beaten last week, but there’s no disrespect running second to Baby Jaycee. To be only beaten a length by her was a very good run.
“He can’t run as fast as Amron Boy, but I reckon he can get down to 29.20sec at Sandown.”
WATCH: “Fred wins again!” In-form G1 Harrison Dawson contender FRED ROSE (B3) made it four in a row and three straight at Sandown Park with a 29.48sec victory on April 27.
Fred Rose has drawn box one in the third of four heats of the male-only Harrison Dawson (race 8, 8.40pm), where Sportsbet rates him at $5.50 in a market headed by G1 Perth Cup winner Elite Machine (box 5) at $3.30.
Fred Rose is a $34 chance in ‘All In’ betting, where Amron Boy, which has also drawn ‘the red’ in heat four in a mouth-watering clash with G3 Launching Pad winner Trooper Tears (box 7), is a clear-cut $3.70 favourite.
A top-two finish and a berth in next Thursday night’s $100,000 to-the-winner final would see Fred Rose emulate his mother, Dash Of Rose, a Sapphire Crown finalist in 2017.
“With any of these Group races it’s never going to be easy, but drawing box one is a bonus,” Chignell said.
“I’ve been in enough Group races but haven’t been able to win one yet – they’re hard just to make.
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“We’ve always thought Fred Rose is a handy dog, but I’m pretty much a realist and whether or not, one, he’s good enough to win a heat and get through to the final and two, win the final, is another matter.
“His weakness is box-rise. He’s not over-endowed with early speed, which comes from his mother, Dash Of Rose. None of her pups have brilliant early speed, but they’re strong.
“His mother drew ‘the red’ in the Sapphire Crown Final, which was the last box we wanted with her, so we’re hoping the same thing doesn’t happen with this fellow and he can settle in a good position.
“Once Sharon (wife) puts him in the boxes, we’re in the lap of the gods. I’m just hoping for an uninterrupted run.”
Fred Rose is the standout in the Chignells’ repeat Fernando Bale x Dash Of Rose mating, with the prolific first litter featuring city winners Nicholas Rose (24 wins), Kingfisher Rose (18 wins), Shantelle Rose (14 wins), and Annie Rose (12 wins).
