John Dunn can’t wait for another crack at Our Waikiki Beach with his exciting pacer Franco Cristiano.
That looks likely in the Breeders Crown final on Sunday week, but first Franco Cristiano has to book his spot through a semi-final at Bendigo on Saturday night.
And he doesn’t have Our Waikiki Beach to contend with this time.
It’s fair to say Dunn was buzzing despite Franco Cristiano having to be content with third spot to Our Waikiki Beach and Menin Gate at Melton last Saturday night.
“I was thrilled with the run. He really needed the hitout, so to do the work he did and still finish so close (5.3m from the winner) was really pleasing,” Dunn said.
“I’m not afraid of Our Waikiki Beach. I respect him, but I’m really looking forward to racing him again.
“I do think we can beat him. I know how much improvement this is to come from our guy.”
Dunn moved Franco Cristiano from Melton to Bruce Morgan’s Bendigo stables last Sunday so the gelding could do his trackwork around the circuit he will race on this weekend.
“Just like I took him to the Melton trials and then gave him the run last week, I’m big on giving a horse who is still learning some experience around tracks which are new to him,” he said.
Franco Cristiano will dominate betting from an ideal draw (gate four) in what looks the weaker of the two Crown semis at Bendigo on Saturday night. He will come into three if the emergency (Nickys Idol, gate one) doesn’t gain a start.
The barrier has added plenty of interest to the other semi with Our Waikiki Beach drawn inside the back row (gate eight).
Main danger and impressive heat winner Iceenothink has thee pole, while the other major hopes look to be Kingofthestars (gate nine) and I Will Rock You (13).
Tactics will be fascinating with Iceenothink a probable leader and Our Waikiki Beach drawn to trail him through.
Two of Mark Purdon’s other stars – Partyon (race two, gate 11) and Pacing Major (race six, gate nine) – also drew the back row.
While his talented three-year-old filly My Mackenzie landed the pole in the opening race, but does have Heavens Trend (four), Dancingwithsierra (two) and Whirily School (three).
Adam Hamilton