Miss Frankel set for winning return

Miss Frankel makes her much-awaited second appearance at Kenilworth on Thursday with trainer Dennis Drier seriously hoping this time it will result in a better performance.

The only progeny of superstar Frankel to race in South Africa made her debut at the Western Cape track in January to high expectations.

She was sent off as a 5-10 favourite but after showing up with the pace faded out late to finish seventh, 6.50 lengths behind Magical Wonderland.

The run left Drier shell shocked. She was checked out by the vet but nothing could be found. In the end the trainer put it down to the filly being overawed by the pressure of the moment.

He gave her a long rest and when she came back at Scottsville in August, there was no mistake. She raced away from the opposition to beat Flo Joyner by 4.50 lengths.

Her dam is Val De Ra, one of the best sprinters seen in recent years in South Africa. However, Drier believes Miss Frankel can go further in Race 5.

“She has her aches and pains,” he says, “but will probably go over a mile in time.”

Once again there will be high expectations but knowing the expectations, there is no way Drier would take a chance if he felt she could not win.

This is her third run and she will be ridden by her third jockey. MJ Byleveld will take the ride this time after Sean Veale rode her on debut and Anton Marcus was aboard her when she won.

The main threat to Miss Frankel on paper, Honey Suite from the Brett Crawford yard, has been withdrawn and that should encourage bettors to make the Drier-trained filly a banker in all bets.