By Adam Hamilton
TRAINER Geoff Webster says the signs are “all very good” heading into Saturday night’s Hunter Cup with last year’s runner-up Franco Ledger.
The former Kiwi pacer has struggled to recapture that form in the 12 months since, but Webster was all smiles after his latest run in the Shepparton Cup.
“He’s been going quite well, but not at his absolute top,” he said.
“It was good for me to actually drive him myself at Shepparton last time … he felt good.
“If he comes on a bit from that and now he’s drawn well, I think he’s in there with an each-way hope.”
Franco Ledger caught the eye when fourth to the leader and winner, Ohoka Punter, in the Shepparton Cup on January 16.
It was only his second start since a freshen-up following a mixed Perth Inter Dominion campaign.
Franco Ledger turned plenty of heads 12 months ago when he rocketed home from an impossible position for second to Arden Rooney in last year’s Hunter Cup.
He has attracted good support at $14 on the Aussie TAB.
Webster also has recent SA Cup winner Flaming Flutter in the Cup, but he’s drifted from $26 to $31 after drawing the outside (barrier seven).
Just
“Sure it’s not the best draw, but I think it’s been an overreaction,” Webster said.
“He wasn’t himself in Perth, raced a lot better in SA then the race just wasn’t run to suit last week (Victoria Cup).”
The major support since Tuesday night’s barrier draw has been for Smolda, who shares equal favouritism with Ohoka Punter at $3.
Smolda’s stablemate, Itz Bettor To Win, has very heavily-backed to book a Chariots Of Fire berth by winning the Group 1 4YO Bonanza at the Hunter Cup meeting.
He’s firmed from $3 to $2.70 since betting opened on the Aussie TAB, while major rivals Tact Tate ($3.80 to $4.20) and Burnaholeinmypocket ($5.50 to $6.50) have been drifters.
It’s a different story with stunning young Kiwi trotter Monbet, who has eased from $1.50 to $1.60 in the Group 1 Australian Trotting Grand Prix.
The early support has been for the in-form stable of Andy and Kate Gath and their emerging trotter Glenferrie Typhoon ($4.20 to $3.80).
Most expect Glenferrie Typhoon to hold the front from the pole and give Monbet one of his biggest tests so far.
Ageing champ Keystone Del has eased from $5 to $5.50.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
