By Adam Hamilton
IN-FORM Aussie trainer Shane Tritton expects to spend a fair bit of time in NZ this year.
It could start with a Harness Jewels raid and end with former Kiwi pacer Franco Nelson returning to his old stomping ground at Addington for the NZ Cup.
As much as Franco Nelson achieved through his many successful years in NZ, it seems he reached a new career high since joining Tritton’s stable.
Even the doubters would have been silenced with his simply unbelievable Menangle win last Friday night.
Menangle has seen some great performances and blazing miles, but not many better than what Franco Nelson produced.
The eight-year-old was trapped three-wide for the entire trip and still powered home to beat a classy field in a flying 1min50.3sec mile.
“Even when he was out three-wide like that, I still though he’d win. He’s just getting better and better. His work this week amazing,” Tritton said.
“Because of all the issues he’s had for the past few years, I think trainers have been cautious about working him too hard. I’ve worked him like I do my others and I think he’s fitter than he’s ever been before.”
Franco Nelson has won five of seven starts since moving from NZ to join Tritton’s Menangle stable.
“We need to look at plans now. Races like the Len Smith Mile, possibly Queensland and definitely the Inter Dominion are on the cards,” Tritton said.
“The owners are keen for him to go back for the NZ Cup and he’s such a great standing-start horse I’d love to give it go.
“It’s easier to do the NZ Cup this year and get back for the Inter Dominion with it being in Melbourne rather than Perth.”
Tritton hopes Franco Nelson’s success will stir interest from other Kiwi owners to send horses to him.
“There must be lots of horses like Franco Nelson who it’s hard to find suitable races for in NZ, but we have a proven record of finding ways to get horses back to their peak form and there are lots more opportunities over here,” he said.
While Franco Nelson is the stable star and best horse Tritton and wife, Lauren, have trained, the rest of their barn in flying as well.
Franco Nelson was part of a winning treble for them at Menangle, including star three-year-old filly My Sweetchillyphilly returning to winning form in a 1min52.1sec mile in the Golden Easter Egg.
Their classy mare Reaza Grunter also impressed again by burning out from a wide draw to lead and winning well in a 1min51.5sec mile.
Reaza Grunter and Tritton’s exciting two-year-old filly Platinum Revolution could be Harness Jewels bound.
“We’ve talked to the Kiwis to express our interest. If Platinum Revolution got an invite, we’d be keen to go because there isn’t much else for her,” he said.
“If she went we’d push for invites for a couple of others as well, including Reaza Grunter, who won really well again the other night.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
