Ashley Frye has waited over a decade to get back into the winner’s circle, but that wait is now over after guiding Float to success in the Nautical Insurance Grand National Amateur Championship (2200m) at Riccarton Park Synthetic on Wednesday.
Having ridden 75 winners, two at stakes level, as an apprentice jockey, Frye’s professional career was cut short after a serious fall in 2014, aged just 18.
After recovering from the accident, Frye followed in her father Danny Frye’s footsteps into the training ranks, with 19 successes to her credit, but the pull back to raceday riding was always there and she rode as an amateur on four occasions over the past two seasons.
Based in North Canterbury, Frye had a long-standing association with fellow locals John and Karen Parsons, who gave her the ride aboard Float, the mare coming off a strong run for second behind Treaty Of Paris on the synthetic on July 26.
Rated a $10.70 hope, Float flew the barriers and was eased back behind pacemakers Just Charlie and Jethro, who maintained a solid tempo through the staying contest. Frye showed her experience allowing the gaps to come turning for home, and once she saw clear air, Float shot to the lead and was never going to be run down, with Star In The Sky and Adam Scott running on strongly into second.
Frye was rapt to pick up the win, expressing her gratitude to the Parsons’ and their charge.
“It was very exciting that’s for sure, 10 years is quite a long time,” Frye said.
“It was very special to get the win on one of John and Karen’s horses, I’ve had a lot to do with them and have a lot of respect for them as trainers.
“I was very happy with her (Float) efforts, she jumped out of the gates and got there easy enough into the perfect position. They just kept the speed on so I slotted in behind them and she travelled up within herself, and when the gaps came she was just too good.
“I love riding and always will. I’ve kind of set myself up in the training ranks now that I wouldn’t consider throwing that away to get back riding, so having this option as an amateur is really cool.
“It gives us our adrenaline buzz and gets us back out there.”
Frye will be back in her regular role as trainer at the Riccarton turf meeting on Saturday, with her Dundeel seven-year-old Astradeel lining up in the Vernon & Vazey Truck Parts Rating 75 (2000m) after picking up minor placings at his last three starts.
“He got beaten a nose at this meeting last year and he’s in pretty good form and very well in himself so I’m expecting a nice run,” she said.
“Hopefully the luck’s on our side on Saturday as well.”
Back at her base in Balcairn, Frye is looking forward to taking a couple of younger horses to the trials in the coming weeks, including Princess Solitaire, a half-sister to Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner Warmonger and Group One-performer Blue Solitaire.
“I’ve got a couple of wee babies going to the trials at Ashburton next week, including a just-turned three-year-old called Princess Solitaire. She could be quite exciting and has a bit of breeding on her page,” she said.
“My big boy Darkhan Roar will be running at Oamaru at the end of next week, I’m pretty excited about him. He’s just taken a bit of time and is still learning, but the penny is not far off dropping so I’ve got a bit of time for him.
“I just love the horses, I grew up with ponies and it’s always been that way. At the same time, we love going fast.”
