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.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
