Front Page fight is not news to Duryea before William Reid Stakes
Front Page has made one thing stand out to Geoff and Maureen Duryea before the William Reid Stakes at The Valley on Friday night – he won’t die wondering in Group 1 company.
He did that in his second attempt at elite-level glory last start, running a respectable eighth in the Newmarket Handicap on March 11.
Front Page’s time of 1min08.81sec was a personal best over 1200m.
Second-up this week – with the highlight of last preparation his outstanding all-the-way victory in The Kosciusko – Front Page is a $13 winning chance across betting sites.
2022 The Kosciusko (Royal Randwick 1200m) Race Replay – Front Page (1st)
Stable representative Maureen Duryea was delighted with his effort at Flemington almost two weeks ago, beating home the likes of Chain Of Lightning, Roch ’N Horse and Bella Nipotina.
She said he was ready to produce a similar run in Melbourne.
“Geoff’s happy with him,” Duryea told HorseBetting.com.au.
“We thought he fought very well. He ran a personal best time.
“He always fights really hard and we’re always proud of his efforts.
“Whether he wins or gets beaten, he does always fight well.”
By 2007 Group 1 Galaxy winner Magnus and out of Stacey Lee who Geoff Duryea trained, Front Page has inherited a never-say-die mentality.
“It’s just part of the family tree,” Duryea said.
“His mum was the same and I think Magnus was the same, and his older sister News Girl was the same.
“They always had that will to win.”
Based in Corowa in country New South Wales, Duryea said Front Page would have no shortage of supporters in his home town as he attempts to win his maiden Group 1 title on Friday night.
“Newmarket Day was an example – it was Corowa Cup Day, our local cup,” she said.
“He was featured on the front page of the race book, and he also had a race named after him.
“It was the Let’s Go Front Page Country Boosted Maiden.
“So definitely, the support of the town racing and non-racing people has been really great.
“Regardless of whether it’s tough times or not, country people do stick together.”
Front Page’s Odds In William Reid Stakes
Moonee Valley Race 7 – 
#9 Front Page (TBA)
6yo Gelding | T: Geoff Duryea | J: TBA (58.5kg)