The late Fred Astaire would have undoubtedly been proud of the efforts of the Paul Facoory-trained Fred Astern at Queanbeyan on Monday, as the fleet-footed 4YO scored a dominant 1.67 length win in the 1200m Country Boosted Maiden Handicap.
Taking on the $30,000 event, Fred Astern was well-supported into $3.50 favourite, and from gate seven, was able to find a nice spot outside of the early leader for jockey Damon Budler.
On the Queanbeyan straight, Fred Astern let down nicely, putting a gap on his rivals before landing an easy win for connections.
By Astern and out of Ballerina Girl, it has taken a little while for the penny to drop, but Facoory is confident Fred Astern can now go on with the job and win more races.
“He’s a horse that is on the way up,” Facoory said.
“He’s taken a long time to learn, and the winkers did help today a lot.”
There was good money for the Queanbeyan galloper on his home deck, with Facoory suggesting ‘everyone’ had their money on.
“I was pretty confident today with him but until the job is done you don’t know,” Facoory said.
The Queanbeyan stable will now turn its attention to Wagga on Friday, where four runners are entered to race.
Party It Down and That A Boy will again step up in distance, taking on the 2500m Mountaineer Cup Benchmark 74 Handicap.
Passing Through is entered in the 1600m Country Boosted Bragger Cup Benchmark 50 Handicap and Do Ya Head In is nominated to contest the 1200m Class One Handicap.