Steven McRae has had 14 career wins on Winton's Central Southland raceway. Ten of them had Franco in their name and he's got a good chance of increasing the tally there on Saturday.
Three of McRae's four runners are Franco's and the first of them, in the Mico Plumbing Supplies Mobile for non-winners, is Loretta Franco for Spreydon Lodge and the Organ Donation Saves Lives Syndicate. McRae points out he hasn't had the four year old long but she has a good draw, her training suggests she can be competitive and a top-four would not surprize.
Next up is the non-Franco, Tara Tutaia in the Breckon Farms Fillies and Mares Mobile Mile. She is racing for just the third time but hasalready tasted mile racing on the Winton track, finishing runner-up, a length and a half behind Somejoy in December and clocking 1:55.7. The three year old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere has drawn two and McRae said that while her gate speed has never been tested, she has enough ability to make use of the good marble.
Light Year Franco tackles the Goodman Plumbing Ltd Mobile for non-winners and will go from five off the front. Racing for just the fifth time, the filly already has placings to her credit with McRae commenting she hasn't had a lot of luck in good fields. He notes it is a good field again but reckons with a half-decent run she can get some of it.
Selena Franco steps out from gate seven in the PGG Wrightson Mobile, for the same ownership as Loretta Franco. The four year old is a daughter of San Rafael, winner on the course of the 2011 Equine Stakes in 1:54.8. Since winning then running second on the grass at Cromwell and Waikouaiti in January and February, Selena Franco has had a run of outs. In part, McRae blames bad luck.
“She's due some luck and we've got her steering a lot better, I'd be disappointed if she's not in three,” he said.
Brett Gray has 11 runners going round on Saturday including four in the R58 to R90 pace but considers his one-start trotter might be his best chance. Too Cool was the beaten favourite on debut at Gore, breaking on straightening when in a challenging position. On Saturday, she contests the AB Lime Ltd Trot and Gray is expecting a better result.
“I think we've sorted her out,” he said
In the Aburns Glass Mobile, The High Roller (Matt Anderson-3), Young Conqueror (Brad Williamson-5), Jimmy Mack (Brent Barclay-6) and GI Joe (Blair Orange-12), all go round for Gray. In a strong line-up, he rates the Butterworth Racing pair, Jimmy Mack and GI Joe, the stronger chances.
“It's hard to split them,” he added.
Mac Henry