Nandor finds his mojo on the provincials but bad draw makes it harder on Thursday
By Barry Lichter • 9 December 2020
Don’t expect to see Franco Nandor back racing at Auckland any time soon after he fell in to score at Palmerston North yesterday.
Trainer Ray Green, who will back the horse up on the second night of the meeting on Thursday, says the result shows the three-year-old is best suited to provincial racing.
“We’ve found the level at which he’s most competitive and hopefully he can get some money again on Thursday, but it will be a lot harder from the second line.”
Franco Nandor moves from two on the front line, from where he was able to find the lead on the first day, to three on the second row in the sixth race.
From there it will be up to driver Zachary Butcher to try to find an economical trip for the horse on the turning Manawatu circuit.
“I’m not sure what his problem is but he gets very nervous and stressed out,” says Green.
“Sometimes it’s like he’s decided he doesn’t want to be a racehorse. Zac said he felt enormous at the top of the lane but was looking to get out of it soon afterwards.”
To his credit, Franco Nandor didn’t throw it away completely and at the line held a half head margin over Mac’s Tomado, who sat parked throughout and lost crucial ground on the home turn through pacing roughly.
Franco Nandor’s win was the second for Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street and their partners in the horse, top golfer Ryan Fox, Denis Ebert, Steve MacDonald, Chris Prutton and Wayne Seebeck.
In slushy conditions Franco Nandor clocked a mile rate of 2:03.6 for the 2000 metres, closing in 59.2 and 30.1.
Green credits the wet track with helping Brian Christopher into second in the last race as he only had to run home his last 800 metres in 61.4.
“He doesn’t have a lot of speed and the wet track probably brought the faster ones back to his level.”
Brian Christopher, having only his second race and first for four and a half months, enjoyed a nice run through from the second row to score the early one-one but was soon left parked out.
The Bettors Delight three-year-old hit the lead just before turning for home and kept battling away, swamped late by the stronger finishing Nerano.
On Thursday, in the third race, he lands a better draw of two, from where he should get a much easier trip and be able to stay in touch.
While limited, Green says Brian Christopher is honest and he’s hoping he can be in the finish again.
More news in Harness
Better draw and tighter hopples but Debbie Lincoln’s still paying 100-to-one in the Oaks
Dreams Of Eric sold but Harness 5000 tilt at Ashburton still on for Nate and Cody
Draw against Jessie Lincoln on debut but she’s the best of the four fillies in Lincoln green
You’ve got it wrong, Green tells bookies of Debbie Lincoln’s $61 price for Nevele R Final
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
6.39pm
“She was very good first-up - Harry said she was still coming at the line - and I’m sure she’ll go pretty well again. The way she trains over 2400 metres, you’d think the extra 500 metres will help.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.39pm
“I was quite happy with her last run at Cambridge, she’s improved a lot since Auckland. It’s a shame she’s got a bad draw this week but if she can hit the line well again, I’ll be happy.”
Race 5: Dreams Of Eric
7.34pm
“I think he’ll be a good chance because he continues to train very well. I’ll leave it up to Harry how he drives him this week but you’d think he’d lead again.”
Nathan’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Tyson
6.52pm
“He had to do a bit much work last time - from a niggly draw he went round and sat parked. He’s drawn three on Friday, which is perfect, as he can just mooch up there. He keeps going good races in stronger fields and needs two more starts and some more points to qualify for the Golden Gait.”
Race 8: Kevin Kline
9.24pm
“He’s up against the better ones now, like Cold Chisel, but he keeps doing a good job. He’s a tough horse who keeps improving and he’s training really well. I thought he’d be a chance.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Addington
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“I was pretty pleased with the way she went last time. It was unfortunate she had to cop such a tough trip but she showed she is competitive - not many in the race could have done what she did. Maurice said if he’d pushed her out, she would have finished a bit closer. I can’t fault her. She recovered quickly and looks great. She’s no 100-to-one shot. All she needs is a bit of luck.”
