Apieceoflou just needs a reasonable trip from the second row to be hard to beat at Auckland on Friday night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Apieceoflou can get a piece of it again - Franco Nandor to be driven conservatively
By Barry Lichter • 19 November 2020
Apieceoflou is expected to have a fitness edge on stablemate Franco Nandor when the two clash in the fifth race at Auckland on Friday night.
Apieceoflou is racing consistently, running two fourths since he made the most of his first decent trip at Auckland last month and scored his maiden win.
Two starts back he paced a fast 1:54.7 mile when fourth behind Taipo and last start, while his fourth from the one-one might initially have looked a shade disappointing, he was parked for the first 800 metres on a muddling pace.
“David (Butcher) said it was a stop-start race which didn’t suit him.” Green said. “He needs a steady trip.
“He’s not a bad horse and if he can get a good trip from the second row he should be our best shot as he’s race fit.”
Franco Nandor, on his way to winning his last start, has strengthened with a spell. PHOTO: Megan Leifting/Race Images.Franco Nandor, while a last-start winner, has not raced for more than three months so is likely to be driven a little more conservatively than his usual on-pace style, Green said.
“He’s been coming down well (on times) in training and looks a bit stronger than last time in, he’s put on a lot of weight.”
Franco Nandor has had three workouts in successive weeks, running third, winning, then finishing second last Saturday when he moved up to park 600 metres out, challenged in the run home and was pipped late by Ariella on a 27.5 quarter.
“He couldn’t do the hard trips last time and got a bit tired towards the end but he’s nice and bright and so long as he doesn’t have to do too much he’s a chance.”
Green will run Franco Nandor in a removable hood on Friday revealing the horse was a bit keen last time in blinds.
Stablemate Revitalise is sitting the race out while he recovers from a foot abscess that turned into a quarter crack which required surgery.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 7: Im Not The Maid
8.15pm
“She couldn’t knick off a perfect trip last time in the amateur race so I won’t be holding my breath here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.53pm
“It looks like it will be a replica of his last two runs. He needs to drop down a class.”
Race 2: Kevin Kline
5.53pm
“I think he’lll go another good race but you couldn’t make a case for him to beat the two favourites (American Me or Mantra Blue). If he ran third, I’d be rapt. He’s very genuine and his form reflects that.”
Race 3: The Rascal
6.24pm
“We’ve chucked him in the deep end - he’s a maiden against race winners - but he’s improving all the time. Fergy had difficulty steering him last time and said if he could have got him out, he would have won. We’ve made little changes to his gear this time and I think he’s a serious contender.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.26pm
“He feels super in his work. I’m really pleased with him. I know he hasn’t lived up to his early promise but the way he’s training he might now be ready to realise it.”
Race 9: Dreams Of Eric
9.32pm
“He wasn’t handling the right-handed going so well, which was why he switched to racing at Cambridge, but he’s a genuine little guy, a strong colt with a bit of speed. I think he’s a chance, it’s just the draw, but it’s only a small field.”
