By Tayler Strong
Franco Cristiano ran the fastest time in a Sires’ Stakes heat at Forbury Park when he won comfortably on Thursday night.
He led throughout the 1700m from the mobile gate and won by a length and a half in 2.02 (1.55.4 mile rate) and 0.1sec inside the track mark for a colt or gelding set by Art Union in the heat of the NRM sponsored series last year.
Adore Me has the track record for all ages of 2.01.8 set during the day in a Sires’ Stakes heat for 3yr-old fillies in 2012.
“It was good. I was very happy with the way he came off the gate (mobile). I was confident he would as he has come home in some quick sectionals in his other races,’’ said his driver, John Dunn.
Franco Cristiano was steadied off the gate in the score up then spurted to retain the lead from barrier one. He ran his last 800m in 55.6 and 400m in 27.7.
Franco Cristiano, owned by Alan and Ian Neumann, Stuart Leadley, Geoff Evans and Brent Clarke, all of Ashburton, is now unbeaten in four starts.
He is bidding to join Stars And Stripes (1999), Franco Heir (2000), Pay Me Christian (2005) and Auckland Reactor (2007) who have carried on to win the Sires’ Stakes Final after a heat win at Forbury Park.
The heats were run over 2200m from 1999 to 2002, then a mile until 2008. Auckland Reactor ran the mile in 2.03.8 on a slushy track.
Dunn, right-hand man to his trainer-father, Robert, at the Woodend Beach stable, said Franco Cristiano may not contest another heat of the Sires’ Stakes before the $170,000 final at Addington on November 10.
“ He might just bypass the remaining heats and gain experience in other races. There is a Super series race for him at Addington in a fortnight.’’
He Can Fly and G I Joe, the Mark Purdon – Natalie Rasmussen-trained pair, did well for second and third to Franco Cristiano when making their race debuts.
He Can Fly settled last from the outsider barrier (eight), then improved to second at the 1000m, G I Joe, who settled sixth, moved ahead of him to be close to Franco Cristiano at the 800m.
He Can Fly ran on solidly, outfinishing G I Joe by a neck for second.
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