Sunday wasn’t a great day for Southern Harness Racing.
One of our established stars Franco Ledger fractured a pastern in the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru, whilst up and coming five year old Costa Del Magnifico was scratched in the same race after trainer Brent Shirley noticed he wasn’t quite right.
Franco Ledger’s trainer and part owner Hamish Hunter confirmed today that the nine year old has more than likely finished as a racing proposition.
The horse returned home yesterday and will have further x-rays later in the week to confirm the size of the fracture and a final decision will be made on the horse then.
“He’s always been a drama horse being in and out of trouble, but I never thought this would happen,” said Hunter who shares in the ownership with The What Ever Syndicate.
From 98 starts he won 25 races, was second and third 11 times. He won two thirds of his stakes in New Zealand and the other third in Australia where he was trained by Geoff Webster.
He achieved a remarkable record for a horse that was primarily trained in Southland. In 59 of his 98 starts he ran in Group races.
“All the way through his racing career he raced against the top level and was 100% sound. It’s been a terrific ride really. He’s raced from a two year old to nine and won all that money. He’s seen a lot of cup horses come and go.”
His biggest win was in Australia in the Group One Bohemia Crystal at Menangle. He also won the Group Two Shepparton Cup beating Philadelphia Man and Lennytheshark.
He was also placed second behind Arden Rooney in the 2015 Group One Hunter Cup.
On a national front he became the fourth horse to win back to back Hannon Memorials (2012 and 2013). The others were Palestine (1976-1977), Idolmite (1980-1981) and Iraklis (1997-1997).
Franco Ledger winning the first of two Hannon Memorials Photo Bruce Stewart
His best season was as a three year old when he won seven races from twelve starts.
Throughout his racing career he was a bit of a cups king, winning the Central Otago Cup (2012), Wyndham Cup (2012 and 2014), Wairio Cup (2013), Invercargill Cup (2013), Southern Country’s Cups Final (2012), Methven Cup (2014) and Waikouaiti Cup (2012 and 2014).
He still holds two 3200 metres track records. One at Invercargill (3-58.7) and one at Wyndham (3-57.0) which is also a Southland record.
He was twice named Southland Horse of the Year (2012 and 2013).
His biggest stakes winning season was in 2015 when he won four races – three in Australia and one in New Zealand. He banked $233,781 that season.
Trainer Hamish Hunter drove him to win 15 races while others who were successful on him were; Peter Hunter (3), Geoff Webster (3), Anthony Butt (2) and Colin De Filippi (2).
Hunter is rightly full of admiration for the Falcon Seelster stallion and the much traveled and boysterish What Ever Syndicate have also been on board all the way.
“They understand what’s happening. They were there when he was scratched from the Sires Stakes Final after getting a tendon injury in his paddock. We thought he was gone then.”
Once the dust settles, when x-rays are analysed and the healing process is complete, the next step in Franco Ledger’s career will be mapped out.
“There’ll be a niche opportunity for him somewhere. There are plenty of stallions around the country like that.”
Meanwhile Costa Del Magnifico's racing season is on hold after he was withdrawn from the Hannon.
Costa Del Magnifico Photo Bruce Stewart
“We’ve scanned him top to bottom and the only thing we can find is signs of a burst blood vessel which he's whacked somehow. His leg is swollen but he’s not lame. We’ve bandaged him and we’ll re-scan him on Friday. With any other horse you’d push on but we're putting him first and have no plans for him at this stage. One good thing to come out of the scan was Brendon (vet Brendon Bell) said he had beautiful joints,” said trainer Brent Shirley.
Bruce Stewart
Southern Harness