Veteran Franco Huntington too tough

Franco Huntington (Changeover) had the wood on all his rivals in the Betavet Mobile Pace at the Invercargill Harness Racing Club meeting today at Ascot Park.

“The win wasn’t unexpected with the way he’s been all week. He’s just glowing in his coat. It just came down to what sort of run he got,” said owner-trainer Doug McLachlan.

Driven by Mark Hurrell today the pair stayed out of the early rush, settling fourth on the inside before sitting parked for the last lap.

He proved too tough for the field and beat Emerald Abbey by a length and a quarter.

FRANCO HUNTINGTON REPLAY

It’s the twelve year old’s fifteenth win in 247 starts, seven of which have been at Ascot Park.

“He’s been an Eftpos machine.”

Bred by Spreydon Lodge, Franco Huntington began his career with Steven McRae who took him to a number of workouts and qualified him at Rangiora in February 2015 before he was sent south to be trained by Otama trainer Robin Swain. He had his first twenty three starts for Swain, winning once.

He joined McLachlan in 2017 and has won the balance of his wins from that stable.

“He (Swain) had him advertised on Tom Kilkelly’s site. I think I paid $2,000 for him. I got ripped off (laughter).”

As you’d expect Franco Huntington is a bit of a fixture at McLachlan’s Myross Bush stable.

“He’s in the shafts every day and he’s good with young horses. He’s always a bit of a clown and you have to watch him all the time. It’s a bad habit he’s got. He likes to cow kick when you’re putting the cover or cart on. He only lifts his foot up and it goes straight back. I can usually get round it.”

He’s also a popular figure on the Southern Harness scene.

“He gets the odd little freshener but that’s about it. He’s the type of horse that likes work, like’s being handy (to the stable) and being boxed. He doesn’t like me going to the races without him.”

Eight of his wins have been in the hands of John Morrison and he’s a horse that has given a handful of junior drivers some race day experience.

“His manners are good so he’s a great education horse for the young drivers.”

McLachlan has owned the gelding since March 2018 and the horse gave him his 200^th winner when he won at Winton in November last year.

“He’ll carry on and I’ll give him a wee freshener but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him racing again in August (when the second part of the season starts in Southland).”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink