You simply have to admire astute harness racing trainer Bruce Harpley.
Having trained, driven and nurtured outstanding mare Frith to perfection, Harpley has made a tough decision in the best interest of the five-year-old’s career.
Despite registering an impressive 32 wins and eight placings from 44 starts with the daughter of Four Starzzz Shark, Harpley believes Frith can progress further with a larger stable.
As such, Frith has been transferred to Belinda McCarthy to be prepared for next month’s Queen Of The Pacific at Melton before being sent to champion New Zealand horseman Mark Purdon.
Harpley revealed his decision following Frith’s stylish victory at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
“I just feel I have taken her as far as I can,” Harpley said. “She is at the highest level now and I reckon she will be better off with in a big stable with trainer like Mark.
“She is still very head strong and wants to race her way, which was fine against her own age, but now she’s against the best around and needs to settle better.
“Hopefully someone like Mark can fix that and get her to race more tractable.”
Citing the Western Australia Oaks as Frith’s most memorable triumph, Harpley stated his only regret was not reaching $1million in stakes before the stable switch.
Frith’s bankroll is sitting on $866,572 following yesterday’s win over Pas Ultimate Delight and Majorly Foxy Styx in 1:54.3.
“She won a host of major races, but the WA Oaks is the one that stands out for me as the most satisfying,” Harpley said.
“I don’t have any real regrets with her, but I would have liked to have taken her past the million-dollar earnings.”
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PAUL COURTS