The Wayne DaCosta-trained dark bay gelding Uncle Frank seems to have settled down nicely and, as a result, is realising his true potential.

Bred by Storm Craft out of the Footloose II mare Dusty Milly, Uncle Frank, racing at the Open Allowance for the first time, displayed continued improvement with a fighting win in the $1.15-million Owen Silvera Memorial Cup feature on Sunday (July 8, 2018).

Going one mile (1,600m), Uncle Frank out-battled his stable companion Radical to win by half length in a time of 1:39.1. This was the second time this year that Uncle Frank was winning two consecutive races.

It was an even break at the start, with Birdie My Love (Odeen Edwards) being the first to show on the lead. Uncle Frank was neatly tucked into second position under a snug wrap as Radical (Gary Richards) raced in third ahead of Marvellous Marva (Mellisa Ward).

With six furlongs (1,200m) to go, Uncle Frank tried to test Birdie My Love, but the leader kicked on at the half mile (800m), looking to steal a march on rivals. Thomas then had to switch his mount from the inside rails to mid-track, allowing Radical and Marvellous Marva to join him approaching the final bend.

Birdie My Love eventually gave way in deep stretch as Uncle Frank and Radical took over, and a battle for supremacy began as neither one was giving any quarter.

Uncle Frank found extra for the win on the line. Marvellous Marva, who had to go four wide at the furlong (200m), came with a strong but ineffective run for third position with Birdie My Love in fourth.

DaCosta was very pleased with the effort from his charge.

“It was a good performance. Uncle Frank is obviously on the improve and we really don’t know how far this improvement is going to take him, but right now it is nice.

“The plan coming into this race was basically to sit off the pace, like in second or third, as it was a small field which had a good amount of pace. Sit off the pace and at the half mile just gradually come down, and that is what happened and I am happy with the win.

“More than likely Uncle Frank will have another Open Allowance race and then we will take it from there on,” DaCosta told The Supreme Racing Guide.