Franco Nandor will wear spreaders on Tuesday to stop him from hitting his knee. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Al looking for front-running advantage with Franco Nandor and Brian Christopher
By Barry Lichter • 28 June 2021
Trainer Al Barnes is expecting good front-running performances from both Franco Nandor at Albion Park on Tuesday and Brian Christopher at Redcliffe on Wednesday.
Barnes was pleased with the efforts of both horses last week and says Franco Nandor, in particular, went better than it might have looked to the casual observer.
Sent out a $151 outsider, Barnes drove the horse hard from three on the gate and was about to cross easily when Franco Nandor got on his knee, struck his knee boot, which dislodged, then hit his knee again, causing him to break stride.
Barnes was able to get the horse back into his gait quite quickly - “he only scrambled, he didn’t really gallop” - and after settling fourth in the running line, eventually gained a one-out one-back trail.
“But he got on one rein after that - obviously feeling his knee - and I couldn’t steer him. He was travelling round the turn but I couldn’t pull him out.”
Franco Nandor finished eighth, 14.5 metres from the impressive winner Watts Up Sunshine, who ran fifth in Krug’s Redcliffe Derby at the weekend.
“I’ve rectified the problem this week by fitting spreaders so he can’t hit his knee.
“I was really happy with his run last week and he’ll be stronger this time. I’ve also put a good driver back on in (son) Hayden and hopefully he can cross from five and we’ll see how he goes in front.
“It’s a good, even field - a couple go pretty well - but he’s a chance to get some money. If he leads, they’ve got to catch him.”
Franco Nandor, who has won two of his 15 starts, is raced by international Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox, Denis Ebert, Steve MacDonald, Chris Prutton, Wayne Seebeck and Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street.
Brian Christopher led all the way in his only win at Manawatu last December. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Barnes will drive Brian Christopher himself again at Redcliffe where he got a pleasant surprise last week with how hard the horse tried when second to hotpot Paratrouper.
Brian Christopher, who had shown little in trackwork leading up to his Queensland debut, made the front from gate three without any effort and leaves from the same spot on Wednesday night.
“Hopefully we’ll be in front again and they’ll have to catch us. He was a touch short on fitness first-up which cost him, and was keen in the run.
“He meets a similar field to last week and if he repeats that effort he’s a winning chance.
“Mullum Boy looks the one to beat but it will be harder for him drawn three on the second row.”
Franco Nandor races at 6.42pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.
Brian Christopher races at 9.20pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday.
More news in Harness
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Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
