Frye rode the 5yr-old Kingmaker gelding to third in the amateur riders' race at Riccarton during Grand National week, but his daughter, Ashley, takes the reins again today in a 1600m maiden.
''He was going to be semi-retired, so I decided me and the owner would lease him and have a play with him for a couple of runs,'' Frye said.
''He's probably going to be better for the trip tomorrow. There's a couple of mile and a-quarter [2000m] goes for him in two weeks' time.
''I'm quite pleased with the way he's come along. We just plan to give him a couple more runs and maybe tip him out [to spell] then have a look again next autumn.''
The Ashburton track was rated good3 yesterday afternoon, with a chance of it getting firmer. But while the tracks are firm, both King Filou and Frye's other runner today, Prince Eden, missed a run on Wednesday due to Tuesday's wild weather.
''We were basically blocked in if you please - we had no power for a couple of days.
''We work them down the beach at Leithfield and Ashley beaches, but that was blocked off, too, so even if we had been able to get out of here, it was pretty bad out that way.''
King Filou's future would lie in longer races, Frye said.
''I'd like to see him over more ground. I had a bit of time up my sleeve at the moment so I thought I'd have a go with him.''
Prince Eden gets his first crack over more ground, but Frye rues that he was unable to keep jockey Ryan Bishop on after Bishop had ridden the Edenwold gelding in all four starts in this campaign. Bishop has the ride on the Kevin and Pam Hughes-trained Hawkesbury.
''Unfortunately, I put Ryan crook thinking I'd stick to the mile, and Ryan couldn't ride him,'' Frye said.
''It's only the fact Ryan couldn't ride him that Ashley's on, but she'll be doing her best anyway.''
While the 4yr-old has drawn barrier 7 in a nine-horse field, Frye has learned the gelding needs to be on the speed, which is where he intends he will be today.
''At Ashburton [on August 30] he drew out wide so we thought we'd try something different and ride him cold for once, rather than kill him pressing forward, but he's got to be on the pace and didn't run on from the back.''
Frye hopes to have race winners Western Warrior and Gallant Babe back racing in the next couple of months.
Wingatui trainer Bruce Jenkins takes Yazoom (race 5) and Puddle Alley (race 7) north for the meeting.
Yazoom should appreciate the good surface, as both of her career wins have come on firmer footing.
The Yamanin Vital mare has enjoyed four weeks off since running third at Oamaru on August 16.
