Heff makes amends

Ryal Bush owner Francis Russell had not raced horses for twenty five years. But a casual chat with her neighbour, trainer Brett Gray, got her back in the game.

“Brett stopped one day and said it was time I got another horse. I thought to myself ‘why not?” Russell said.

Consequently she attended the Christchurch Sales with Gray two years ago and purchased trotter Franco Hefner (Father Patrick) for $30,000.

“Brett did the bidding. I stood with him, I said keep going.”

The colt was offered by Spreydon Lodge and is from a good family that’s produced Yagunnakissmeornot (17), Miss Whiplash (13) and Emma Hamilton (6).

“I’ve always loved watching trotters, even years ago. Horses like Castleton’s Pride and Lyell Creek. I thought that one of these days I’d get one.”

The last horse she raced was Titan Bloss, a daughter of Son Of Afella which won five races for Murray Brown.

“I love it. I’m around at the stables every week just checking on the horses. I’ve got a share in another nice young one by Captain Crunch. I can see them through my lounge window. I’m just across the road.”

Franco Hefner had been a star performer at the trials, winning all five of his runs before he debuted as favourite at the Northern Southland meeting, finishing eleventh.

“He just got stage fright at his first start. A horse came up behind him and he panicked. Today we pre-warmed him and put an overcheck on him. He was good today. He’s still learning and just needs a couple of runs in the field now. In his trials he’s sat on their back and sprinted home good. He’s a nice going horse and it’s all there,” said driver Brent Barclay.

In today’s race at Ascot Park Barclay took the three year old straight to the lead and he won by a length and a quarter.

FRANCO HEFNER REPLAY

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink