Frostnip made a statement on debut at Caulfield Heath, proving too slick for her rivals in the MRC Foundation Gala May 8 Plate (1000m). Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the two-year-old filly showed natural speed to lead from a wide gate and held on gamely for a debut win.

After being a touch slow away, jockey Blake Shinn allowed Frostnip ($3.60) to use her pace to cross the field, controlling the tempo before holding off Sassy For Sure ($16) by half a length. Race favourite Wiltshire Square ($2.35) was another three-quarters of a length back in third.

Price said Shinn’s approach was simple but effective.

“In his usual fashion he shrugged his shoulders,” Price said.

“If she jumps, we’ll go with her, if she doesn’t, and I have to ride a race, I’ll ride a race.

“He went with the horse, and he was right, but she’d had enough on the line. For a horse that doesn’t know much, she had to do plenty, so she did a good job.

“She is specifically a sprinting filly, so that’s what we’ll keep her to.”

Looking ahead, the stable will now aim for a stakes race, with Price identifying the Lightning Stakes at Morphettville as a likely option.

“I think if you had the right race for her, for the rest of her two-year-old year and early in her three-year-old year, you would be able to get a bit of Black Type with her somewhere,” he said.

“I don’t know about 1200 metres, but certainly 1000 or 1100 metres.

“Maybe the Lightning Stakes in Adelaide, that is something I would be having a look at as she’s smart and fast and 1050 metres at Morphettville, it could be ideal.”

Frostnip was purchased for just $28,000 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, and Price tipped his hat to the filly’s buyer.

“I think a bloke by the name of John Sutherland might have bought her,” he said.

“He’s a Stock and Station agent and buys cows, so he might want to change professions.”

For punters interested in following Frostnip or backing future stars, check out this full list of the top Australian betting sites.