Tough opposition on Saturday night but Al’s hoping Franco Nandor can measure up
By Barry Lichter • 18 June 2021
Franco Nandor faces a strong field at Albion Park on Saturday night but trainer Al Barnes is keen to see how Lincoln Farms’ new Queensland import measures up.
Most of the three-year-olds in the eighth race have won far more races than Franco Nandor, and gone much faster, but Barnes says with his ability to sit on the speed he shouldn’t be far away.
“I don’t think a fast time would worry him - he was very keen when he ran 1:56 last week - and he might surprise us a bit.”
Franco Nandor was having his first start in Brisbane last Friday night when second at long odds to the $1.22 hotpot The Raconteur.
Hunted hard out of the gate, Barnes got half a length on the favourite before having to pull back and he just managed to squeeze into the trail ahead of the second row horse who rushed up to try to claim the spot.
The spilt second manoeuvre was the subject of a protest and ended up costing Barnes a $300 fine for tightening but it gave Franco Nandor the run of the race.
Franco Nandor has died on his run but is still only two metres second to hotpot The Raconteur.And in the run home the three-year-old lodged a likely challenge before just “running out of puff in the last 75 metres” and finishing two metres second.
“He was underdone last week and it was my first drive on him,” says Barnes.
“He didn’t appreciate me hitting him on the bum either so this time I’ll try to hold him together and make him feel brave rather than letting his mouth go.”
Barnes says if Sydneysider The Raconteur had been in this week’s race he’d have started quite short in the betting so he doesn’t believe Franco Nandor is out of it.
“It’s a strong race but there are no derby horses in there - except maybe Watts Up Sunshine (10 wins and six placings from 22 starts) - but they say Nandor’s tough.
“I was going to put him in next week’s Redcliffe Derby but it looks like Krug and a few other good ones will be running there so we’ll see how he measures up on Saturday.
“I’m not sure if he can cross from four but we’ll run the gate and see how quick he is. Hopefully we can get across to the rail and take a sit. If he can sit on the speed I’d like to think he can run top four or five.
“His trackwork was good during the week.”
Franco Nandor races at 10.41pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
