CHRIS Frisby was quick to label his son Anthony's drive as the key to Jenden Strike's Group 2 triumph in the Changeover South East Oaks at Albion Park on Saturday.
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Anthony Frisby had several tough calls to make at either end of the $50,000 race, but they paid off as Jenden Strike ($3.30) held on for victory against a fast-finishing group of fillies.
Frisby decided to take his filly forward with an early three wide move and a spot opened up where she was able to slot into the one-one.
Then on the turn for home he had the space to try and pull wide around the leader but instead went for the pegs and tried to burst home down the inside.
It turned out to be the right call.
Jenden Strike ducked to the inside of leading pair Betterthandiamonds and True Step, hitting the front inside the final 200m.
Frisby's filly survived fast finishes from Miss Ruby Sunshine ($14, Pete McMullen) and Fond Memories ($3.20 favourite, Grant Dixon) to claim another Group success for the stable.
Trainer Chris Frisby said driving can often be a game of risks, and in this case he reaped the rewards.
"Both those moves went his way, for a change," he said.
"You have a split second to make all those decisions and they worked out for him this time. Next week he could do the same thing and someone might say 'That was a stupid drive'."
Jenden Strike came to Queensland on the back of two nice trials at home but Frisby had his concerns his filly may have been underdone.
Those concerns were allayed after he encouraging third placing in the Oaks heat.
"I was frightened I was starting a fortnight too quickly," he said.
"I thought she might have needed another couple of trials. It's hard to go up and race good horses straight away.
"You usually want the extra racing before going against the better horses but in the end it worked out good for her.
"She has done an amazing job for us."
Victory takes Jenden Strike's strike rate back up to 50 per cent, with six wins from 12 starts.