French Accord has earned a well-deserved maiden victory at Sandown, acknowledging her consistent performances.
Following two second-place finishes at Bendigo and Geelong in her initial starts, French Accord secured a commanding win in the Sportsbet Fast Form Plate over 1200 metres on Wednesday.
Under jockey Luke Currie, French Accord, who started at $4.80, pulled away from her competitors to win by 2-¾ lengths. Brilliant Bull Ant ($26) finished second, with Luscombe ($5) a further half-length back in third.
With trainer Robbie Griffiths not present, stable foreman Reid Balfour commented that the filly readily met every challenge presented to her.
Purchased for $15,000 as a yearling at the 2024 Inglis Premier Sale, significant expectations were not initially placed on the filly during her early development.
“But every time we keep raising the bar, she keeps meeting it,” Balfour stated.
“She was bought for $15,000 and Robbie was able to put some owners into her and she’s repaying them in spades.”
“She’s not fully mature yet and will keep getting better with each preparation, so there’s a lot to look forward to.”
This was Currie’s second ride on French Accord, having been narrowly defeated on the filly at Geelong on July 10.
He noted that French Accord had shown considerable improvement since that race.
“She travelled up really well,” Currie said.
“She’s been well educated and well worked out by Robbie and the team.”
“Last time she was a bit stiff. She raced really well and loomed like she was going to win, but got a bit lost out wide there at Geelong.”
“Today, she learnt from that and put them away quite quickly.”
Currie believes French Accord possesses several desirable qualities and is likely to be a profitable horse for her trainer and connections.
“She keeps improving,” Currie remarked.
“She jumps well, settles, does everything you ask and she will be a nice filly going forward.”
The Griffiths stable completed a successful day at Sandown with Saluted winning the Sportsbet Get On Extra Handicap over 1000 metres.
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