Today's $125,000 Westral Mares Classic at Gloucester Park looked a matchrace between the champion harness racing mare Frith and the up and coming open class mare Nike Franco NZ.
Frith has been in dynamic form in her two starts in the west but that was negated a lot today by the horrible draw she had of the outside of the gate at barrier nine.
Luke McCarthy pressed forward from barrier two to grab the lead with Nike Franco while Chris Voak sent Frith forward on a huge burn from which she eventually found the death seat outside Nike Franco.
Luke kept up a good clip in front with Nike Franco and it was obvious a long way out that Frith was in trouble when she couldn't respond to a three wide move at the 700 metres mark.
Nike Franco on the other hand was still travelling beautifully and went to the line full of running for an easy win over a fast finishing Jungle Jane and Ideal Alice who battled on for third.
Considering that Nike Franco was involved in a sub 35 second burn to hold the lead, you could be nothing but impressed with the ease of the win.
Nike Franco paced the 2138 metres in a smart 2:32.9, a mile rate of 1:55.5 with closing sectionals of 56.9 and 27.5
It was the daughter of McArdle's 15 win from just 24 starts and took her earnings just shy of quarter of a million dollars.
Trainer Dean Braun couldn't contain a big smile post race.
" It has been a long way back for this mare and I am thrilled that the public got to see the real Nike Franco today."
" She was a star three year old but had a few issues at four so it is great to see her back at her best.'
" When she drew good we were fairly confident she would go a big race," Dean said.
Dean has already set in place the longterm plans for Nike Franco.
" She can go home now and have ten days off before we get her ready for the Ladyship Mile at Menangle."
"The way she went today, I don't think she has to fear anyone," Dean said.
Harnesslink Media