Frank still has an angel on his shoulder

Prominent South Australian horseman Darren Billinger is without doubt harness racing’s equivalent of Rocky Graziano.

Middleweight boxing champion of the world during the 1940s, Graziano wrote a successful autobiography in 1955, which was converted into a movie, starring Paul Newman, the following year.

While Billinger’s skill in the ‘square ring’ is unknown, his connection to Graziano comes from the prizefighter’s book ‘Somebody Up There Likes Me’.

Given the events of the past four years, it is obvious somebody up there likes Billinger!

Billinger’s heavenly help began soon after the tragic death of his daughter, Kelly, in April 2011.

One of Kelly’s favourite horses was a youngster named Come On Frank, which had performed well without suggesting he was capable of reaching grand heights.

Since that heartbreaking evening, Come On Frank has enjoyed ‘divine intervention’ on numerous occasions en route to feature race glory.

Three months after Kelly’s untimely death, Come On Frank captured his first major – the Southern Cross Final at Globe Derby.

Billinger naturally dedicated the victory to the 17-year-old, stating Kelly played a role in the victory.

“This horse was Kelly’s favourite, so to win such a big race three months to the day after she passed away is a big thing,” Billinger declared at the time.

“After he drew badly I knew he needed help from above and that’s exactly what he got.

“It all just fell into place for him and I’d like to think Kelly was looking down upon us.

“It has been a terrible time for me, my wife and our other daughter, Jodie, and although this is so emotional, it also gives us a chance to celebrate and remember Kelly.”

Billinger was again in need of help from above 10 months later when Come On Frank contested the Vicbred Super Series at Tabcorp Park Melton.

And sure enough, he got it!

Come On Frank enjoyed the run of the race to capture the Group One as Billinger again sighted an ‘angel on his shoulder’.

“I swear he gets help from above, especially in a couple of these big races,” Billinger said. “Personally, it has been a horrific 12 months, but he has kept us going.

“That’s the quickest he has ever come out of the mobile, so there was something helping him tonight.”

Given the events during the past few days, Billinger is positive Come On Frank’s angel is still looking after him.

Making the trek to New South Wales for the upcoming Inter Dominion, Billinger was working Come On Frank at Menangle when the gelding took fright, tipping the astute mentor out of the sulky.

What happened next is beyond explanation….

“Frank shied at something, tipped me out of the cart, bolted off the track, out the gate, under the railway bridge and onto the main road among the cars with the sulky still attached,” Billinger revealed.

“The cars stopped for him, he’s had a romp, then turned around and came back to the track.

“Naturally I was worried about injury, but he never had a mark on him, so you can’t say there isn’t angel looking after him.”

Despite the ordeal, Come On Frank scored in 1:52.6 the following night.

“He went terrific the next night and could have gone quicker if needed,” Billinger said. “Now we just need a bit of luck in the Inter Dominion heat on Saturday night.”

The sole South Australian in the time-honoured Championship, Come On Frank will contest the Supplementary heat, in which he has drawn wide in barrier 11, but will slot into nine with the removal of the emergencies.

The son of Blissfull Hall will require “plenty of luck” according to Billinger.

“The draw is ordinary, but it is out of our control,” Billinger said. “I think the longer distance (2400 metres) will suit him, but it’s not going to be easy.

“Hopefully the speed will be on and he can come with one run at the end and qualify for the Final two weeks later.

“He will have to run the race of his life to get into the placings.”

Given his record for heavenly assistance, it will take a brave person to suggest Come On Frank can’t qualify for the $750,000 TAB.com.au Final.

• PAUL COURTS