By Tayler Strong
The seasoned condition of Franco Cristiano could be the main factor in the NRM Sires’ Stakes heat at Forbury Park on Thursday night.
Franco Cristiano is unbeaten in three starts, commencing at Addington on July 24. He was at Gore on August 24 and stepped up at Addington on September 11 with even more authority.
His three races have been from the mobile gate over 1950m (twice) and 2200m. Trainer Robert Dunn and son, John had Franco Cristiano at Gore to gain experience of a 1000m track, the same size as Forbury Park.
The Bettor’s Delight gelding has settled off the pace each time from barriers five and six. He has drawn one over 1700m (mobile) this week. Franco Ledger (2010), Supreme Mach (2012) and Art Union (2014) have won the Sires’ Stakes heat at Forbury Park from barrier one in the seven contests over 1700m.
Hickstead is the only other winner in the field. He won at Addington in May in a 1.58.9 rate for 1950m (mobile). He resumed racing at Addington last Thursday and finished second to Zalta after leading.
Hickstead has a good opportunity to lead from barrier two.
Mark Purdon, who has won the Forbury Park heat four times as a trainer, has G I Joe and He Can Fly making their first race appearances.
The pair finished second and third behind stablemate Benico in a qualifying test at Rangiora on September 9, both well inside the required time.
Experiment, who performed well fresh last spring, is resuming in race 3. The Tony Barron-trained trotter is forward for her first race for five months after a win and second at recent Invercargill workouts.
She won at Methven last September when well performed Habibiti was among the beaten division.
Onedin Onyx, who won four of his 16 starts as a 3yr-old last season, is back in action in race 7. The Geoff and Jude Knight –trained Onedin Onyx won at Forbury Park, Roxburgh, Waikouaiti and Gore.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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