David Butcher has Franco Nandor rolling along nicely during his all-the-way win at Auckland. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Fox hits the birdies in England while Franco Nandor plays a top round at Alexandra Park
By Barry Lichter • 7 August 2020
Top golfer Ryan Fox was preparing to tee off in the English Open at Hertfordshire when Franco Nandor led all the way to win at Alexandra Park on Thursday night.
But Fox, who was gifted a 20% share in the Mach Three three-year-old by Lincoln Farms’ boss John Street after winning the Wairakei Invitational in June, heard the good news via a text from his mum.
“I was disappointed I couldn’t be there but hopefully I’ll get another chance to see him win later in the year,” Fox said via email.
Fox hit five birdies on his way to a solid opening round of 67, finishing four under, just four shots behind leader Northern Irishman Cormac Sharvin.
It continued his great start to the European Tour’s UK Swing, six events in England and Wales over the next six weeks.
Ryan Fox is interviewed after his eighth placing in the British Masters.Fox tied for eighth in the British Masters, firing one terrific round of 66 in atrocious conditons, to finish 11 under par, seven shots astern of Italian winner Renato Paratore.
And he was a solid 15th in the Hero Open a few days later in Birmingham.
Fox hadn’t played in a tournament since the New Zealand Open in early March and said “it’s nice to get back into the swing of things.
“It’s been a good start and my earnings are probably around $70,000 so far.”
Fox’s share of Franco Nandor’s $6600 winning purse pales in comparison - he will get just $1320. But the thrill of winning transcends that, especially since it came just two weeks after fellow Kiwi golfer Gareth Paddison enjoyed the win by Captain Nemo at Cambridge.
Paddison was given a 10% share in the Captaintreacherous colt when he finished second to Fox at Wairakei.
Captain Nemo could manage only sixth last night but had a second row to contend with while Franco Nandor drew perfectly in two.
Spell to strengthen
Fox won’t be in danger of missing Franco Nandor again any time soon as Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green will now turn him out for a good spell.
“Gelding didn’t agree with him so we’ll give him a good break to strengthen.”
Even though Franco Nandor lasted by a neck in a tight four-way finish with Military Man, Dixie Reign and Suidelike Major, Green said you could see he was weak at the finish.
There’ll be a nice surprise awaiting Fox on his return to New Zealand after he’s completed his two weeks in managed isolation.
Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton today dropped round to his wife Anneke the wine and glasses set the horse won.
Fox, who has been invited to play in the US Open from September 17 to 20, has a largely lonely existence ahead of him - “I’ve got three months by myself in a hotel room.”
Fox, who must have his temperature checked every day as a COVID-19 precaution, can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner only with his caddy for the next six weeks, Northern Irishman Chris Selfridge, and he has to confine himself to his own room when not on the golf course or dining.
At least now he can watch a race replay of Franco Nandor winning on www.hrnz.co.nz when he wants a break from playing Assassin’s Creed on Xbox.
Franco Nandor staves off Military Man (yellow harness), Dixie Reign (widest) and Suidelike Major (inner) in a neck, neck and neck finish. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
More news in Harness
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
