Franco Ledger – 2013 Invercargill Cup winner

We continue to look back at past winners of the Invercargill Cup in the leadup to it’s 79^th iteration on Sunday 19^th December.

In the mid 2000s no horse in Southland captured the hearts of the province more than the Hamish Hunter trained Franco Ledger, (Falcon Seelster) and his win in the 2013 Cup was one of the most remarkable.

Owned by the Whatever Syndicate and Hunter, the five year old entire started off 30 metres, settling second last, with River Black and Clark Barron making the pace.

He was still last with a lap to run. At the 700 metre mark Hunter made his move and came down the outside to get up and beat River Black by three quarters of a length.

“At the 600 I thought we might get some place money at best,” Hunter told the press.

His winning time of 3-58.7 was the first time the 4-00.0 barrier was broken and the record stood for four years.

“That was his best performance. He never gave in. He had to show a lot of grit and speed.”

Members of the What Ever syndicate were Brendon McIntyre and Rob Wilks of Invercargill, Paul O’Neill, John Catherwood and Bevan Dowling of Hyde, Tony O’Neill of Ranfurly, Bruce Harvie of Middlemarch, Mike Cornelissen of Mosgiel, Ken McConnell of Clyde, and Neil Tisdall of Perth.

“With a lap to go he had no chance, 500 to go no chance and then you see him coming. There were a few tears afterwards,” McIntyre said following the win.

Franco Ledger recorded twenty five wins in his stellar career and took home $682,514. in earnings.

His major New Zealand wins were the Methven Cup, the Hannon Memorial (twice), the Maurice Holmes Vase and the Central Otago Cup while in Australia he won the Bohemia Crystal FFA and the Shepperton Cup.

Other winners on Cup Day that year were: Simply Susational (Jonny Cox), Juneamy Castleton (Mark Jones), Deano Robyn (Shane Walkinshaw), Monnay (Matty Williamson), Awesum Teddy (Andrew Armour), Flyin Anvil (Mark Jones), The Receptionist (Natha Williamson), Saveapatrol (Mark Jones), Ardghal (Nathan Williamson), Whitney (Mark Jones) and Highview Macusla (Alan Beck).

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink