Final trial for Cup day star

Classy pacer Franco Indie (Always B Miki) has his final hitout today at the Addington harness racing trials, before tackling the Group One $170,000 Woodlands Stud NZ Sires Stakes Series final next Tuesday.

Today in his trial Franco Indie comes up against some tidy pacers, including a much improved Deny Everything who has won his last five races for trainer Mark Jones. Steve and Amanda Telfer also have a good representation in the trial, with 17 race winner Dance Time and last start winner and NZ record holder Darling Me also having a run.

In the fifth and final Sire Stakes heat run at Ashburton a week ago, Franco Indie again proved he’ll be the horse to beat in next Tuesday’s final.

It was his second win in this series, and in a new New Zealand record. His time for the 1700 metres was 1:58.2, representing a mile rate of 1:51.9

Other heat winners to make this years final are Major Perry, Republican Party, and Blameitonthenight.

Franco Indie’s last start win at Ashburton drew praise from trainer Mark Purdon.

“He was super. He ran down the straight with his ears pricked on occasions and he did it well within himself.

“I am really thrilled with him. It is not long until the Cup meeting so I am looking forward to that,” Purdon said after the race.

View the trial fields for today click here!

Harnesslink Media