Norton Cups king

Harness racing five year old Franco Norton (A Rocknroll Dance) has in the last five months become a bit of a country cups King.

The Steven McRae trained gelding since December, has won the Gore Cup, the Cromwell Cup and today (Apr. 13) he added the Winton Cup to his outstanding record.

The win in the 2400 metre $20,000 feature, was his fifth in his last six starts, and his tenth career win.

After beginning like a rocket from the twenty five metre mark Franco Norton in the hands of Craig Thornley soon reeled in front marker Cya Art (Art Major) and took up the lead.

“It didn’t pan out the way we thought it would, but he can begin well, and he did today,” McRae said.

With 1000 metres to run One Change (Bettor’s Delight) started to get keen. So driver Jonny Cox let him slide forward to sit parked. At the 400 One Change was on level terms with Franco Norton but try as he might, he couldn’t get past Franco Norton who went down the line to win by half a neck.

FRANCO NORTON REPLAY

“His condition was probably giving out at the end but the times they ran were off the charts and the second horse has gone massive as well.”

The last 800 metres was run in a sensational 54.2 and 400 metres in 26.4.

“You like to see a horse dig in and fight. There is still improvement there too.”

Today was Franco Norton’s twenty first start and McRae has done an excellent job in managing the unsound pacer.

“It’s a bit of a nightmare really and a very thin line. How many races do you give him? What you do between times? It’s a bit of a juggling act but he’s got enough class to get away with it. He’s just a good horse with good ability and as long as he wants to keep doing it, we’ll send him around.”

The Winton Businesses Cup was part of both the $40,000 Southern Country Cup series and the $90,000 Country Cup Championship.

“It looks as though he might be off a big handicap for that (Country Cup Championship) so it’s a big ask over two miles. You don’t want to be getting too far behind them, but it’ll be a hard race to say no to.”

Franco Norton and McRae will stay down in Southland and prepare for next Sunday’s $40,000 Regent Car Court Southern Country Cup on Diamonds Day.

McRae who’s from Southland has now been at Spreydon Lodge in Canterbury for thirty years and has worked his way up to be the long established racing stable’s trainer.

“I’m one hundred percent a Southlander and support the Stags (Rugby Team) but you wouldn’t think so. The box they put me in today was halfway to the Takatimus (laughter).”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink