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
Forget the form line, Nemo is in Saturday’s race at Albion Park ‘right up to his ears’
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
