Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Jandakot trainer Tommy Sheehy was an admirer of Cody Banks when he raced in Perth 15-odd years ago, and his interest was aroused last year when he saw that the New Zealand-bred pacer’s half-brother Frankie J Holden was offered for sale on the Internet for $7500.
“I’m a good haggler and was able to buy Frankie J Holden for $5000,” said Sheehy after Kyle Harper had driven the five-year-old to victory in the Ernie Manning Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Cody Banks, the first foal out of the In The Pocket mare E J Becks, was the winner of 13 races and $128,702, with his 24 appearances in WA producing seven wins and three placings in 2008 and 2009.
Frankie J Holden, the 14TH and last foal produced by E J Becks, has quite an interesting history. He was bought in New Zealand by well-known WA harness racing identity Kim Tuckey, who then sold him to Sydney interests for $16,000.
Frankie J Holden, a big, bulky gelding, was placed once (third at Alexandra Park) from ten New Zealand starts, and he raced eleven times in New South Wales for four wins. Sheehy races Frankie J Holden in partnership with his 20-year-old son Jack, Beau and Wayne Clark and Kylie Jones, and his 15 starts in WA have produced one win, three placings and $11,867.
“He is very well bred and there is a lot of upside with him,” said 55-year-old Sheehy. “He has had only 36 starts and is still learning.”
Sheehy was unable to drive Frankie J Holden on Friday night when he was serving a seven-day suspension for causing interference in a race at Gloucester Park the previous Tuesday.
“I have been waiting for a draw for Frankie J Holden, and when he drew No. 3, I was very confident,” he said. “I said to Kyle (Harper) if you don’t lead, just sit on the outside of Justlike Turbo, and wait for Cowboys N Bandits (the $1.60 favourite) to come and don’t let that horse go past you at any stage. Drive him like the best horse.”
Harper won the start and Frankie J Holden relished his pacemaking role and won by a half-length from Cowboys N Bandits, who fought on doggedly after racing in the breeze. The win gave Sheehy his first city training success since Emily Suvaljko drove The Black Cardinal to victory over One For Dave Andme on May 11, 2021.
Frankie J Holden suffers from sore feet, and Jack Sheehy, a full-time farrier, has designed special shoes for the pacer which prevents jarring.
Frankie J Holden does no hopple work between his races, with Tommy Sheehy taking him to Naval Base every day for a swim in the ocean. Frankie J Holden will never emulate the deeds of his half-brother and fifth foal out of E J Becks, a horse by the name of Isaiah, who was retired after his 38 starts produced 13 wins, 16 placings and stakes of $587,043. But Frankie J Holden will provide a great deal of enjoyment for his new owners.
Isaiah won two Group 2 events and two Group 3 features, as well as being placed five times in Group 1 events. He finished a half-head second to Locharburn in the New Zealand Derby at Addington in April 2014, while his four appearances in Australia included a third in the 2014 NSW Derby and a third in the 2015 Chariots Of Fire behind Our Sky Major and Bling It On.
Friday was a joyous and memorable day for Tommy Sheehy in more ways than one. He was delighted to become a grandfather for the first time when his daughter Kasey gave birth to a daughter, Remi, in the morning.