Franco Motu snatches win in Four year old Classic

Trainer Gary Hall Snr trained the quinella when his smart gelding Franco Motu (Always B Miki) outsprinted his harness racing rivals to take out the Group 2 $125,000 North Coast Fibreglass Neerabup Four Year old pace at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.

Virtually friendless in the betting Franco Motu was driven by Stuart McDonald while stable mate Alta Tribute was handled by Maddison Brown.

The highly fancied Bettors Pride galloped shortly after the start and was back in the field on settling down.

FRANCO MOTU OCT 25 REPLAY

Im Lightning Banner showed tremendous pace from the pole draw to hold out the early lead with the solidly backed favourite Justcallmemiki at the rear of the field from his second row draw. Golden Lode from the inside of the second row was able to follow through Im Lightning Banner to trail the leader.

Franco Motu secured the one out and one back trail to directly follow Alta Tribute who was caught outside the leader.

Justcallmemiki made a run three wide coming into the straight with a lap out and Copy Cat Queen followed. However he couldn’t sustain the run and gradually dropped out.

Franco Motu pulled out turning for home. Alta Tribute showed plenty of fight but could not hold Franco Motu’s finishing burst and he prevailed to win by a neck from a plucky Alta Tribute. Waverider who was three back on the rails was desperately unlucky as we was still looking for clear room to finish an eye catching third.

McDonald didn’t seem that surprised after the win.

“He’s had a couple of niggly little problems. We’re getting on top of them. Obviously the barrier has hindered him a lot lately and just awkward racing. But when you lob a handy spot like that early and you don’t have to pull out until right late he shows his best.”

“I was travelling really good easy. I waited for as long before I could leave Alta Tribute’s back.”

“As soon as I pulled out I thought I should get them but I was a bit lucky I wanted to drive the other one. But it was the right decision on the end.”

“2500 m in the Golden Nuggett will suit him he’s done a few stands over 2500 and he’s won them all.”

“Obviously it will come down to barriers. But we’ll probably have three runners in it. They’re all as good as each other. It’s a good choice to have because Jnr is away for that (Gary Hall Jnr) and it will all come down to the barriers.”

The $200,000 Group 1 Golden Nugget will be staged at Gloucester Park on 7 November and is shaping to be a very open contest with no stand out. As McDonald indicated, the draw will be the main factor as to who starts favourite.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink