Hopes that RVL’s Mahogany Series for 3yos has a little more of an international flavour this winter will be tested on Saturday with French import Nearco Frod making his Australian debut at Sandown in Heat 4 of the challenge for Tony & Calvin McEvoy.
As a late season 2yo in France, Nearco Frod was most impressive in convincingly winning two of his three races at distances of 1800m and 2000m, with a wet track considered a hindrance when finishing 5th in his second race start. On both winning occasions, the 2yo stalked the leaders in a trailing position before pouncing in the straight and proving too strong late.
Nearco Frod finishes 2nd in Donald trial in May (OTI silks, orange cap).
Arriving in Australia in February, the Mahogany Series at the back end of Nearco Frod’s 3yo year was identified as a suitable target in his first preparation. A little tentative through the early part of his preparation, the colt has settled well in more recent times and has stepped out at the trials on three occasions for the McEvoy team, improving at each outing.
Nearco Frod is a son of Hunter’s Light, a relatively unknown stallion in Australia that is a son of Dubawi and sire of a Group winner and multiple Listed winners in France. Hopefully Nearco Frod is making a name for himself and his sire throughout his career in Australia.
To be ridden by Beau Mertens on debut, Nearco Frod will face a full field at Sandown, including another promising OTI-owned 3yo in Didn’t Miss Many. He returns from contesting a Listed race in Adelaide last start.
See the full field and all race details here.