Team Dalgety target MLT Gore Cup

Team Dalgety wouldn’t swap their spot for any other leading into the MLT Gore Cup on Saturday.

Fresh off their Group 1 Invercargill Cup victory, Cran, Chrissie and Carter Dalgety are hoping to send another Southland feature trophy back to Canterbury when Franco Sinatra heads to Gore’s big day.

If it is to happen, Franco Sinatra will have to overcome the 30m back mark in the Gore Cup.

While it is clearly a challenge, it is not one the Dalgety are shying away from.

“It is not going to be easy but he has earned his handicap as the class runner of the field.”

“We have had some good luck in the Gore Cup and we will need a little bit more if we are going to take it out this year.”

“From the back mark you have to roll with how things pan out in front of you.”

“But we wouldn’t swap our horse for anything else in the race.”

“We go into it quite pleased with him, without being overconfident.”

Franco Sinatra comes into the Gore Cup on the back of a creditable fifth in the Invercargill Cup, where he chased home his star stablemate Republican Party.

“His run was very respectable at Group 1 level.”

“He’s in a grade where he can’t shy away from the good horses.”

“There have been times when he hasn’t had luck on his side, but he hasn’t disgraced himself at any stage.”

“There is no Leap To Fame or Republican Party there on Saturday, so we are hoping to make the most of it.”

Franco Sinatra is among eight drives Carter Dalgety takes at the Gore Christmas Trots.

The reinsman rates BB Crunch, Andy Hall and Clonakilty among his best chances outside of Franco Sinatra.

“Andy Hall has been going very honest races in harder grades.”

“He slots into a very suitable race and should be a nice chance.”

“BB Crunch hasn’t got much of a draw to work with but it is a nice drop back in class for her too.”

“Clonakilty would have to be a pretty handy chance, too.”

“He’s very consistent and has a nice draw to work with.”

Jonny Turner’s Five to Follow at Gore :

Hobbs (Race 6 – 2.20pm)

The timing looks perfect for this local mare to add to her already impressive record on her home track. In her last visit, Hobbs overcame a slow getaway before powering home for an emphatic win in track record time. The four-year-old returned to racing at Winton recently and ran an excellent second, importantly making a good beginning. Fitter for that run, Hobbs should take all sorts of holding out on Saturday. I think she’s clearly the best horse in her race and she looks set to show it.

Ebonezy (Race 4 – 1.25pm)

If she wasn’t racing over 1700m, you’d just about say she was a good thing. Ebonezy has been outstanding in her two starts this time in and has Southland Oaks filly written all over her. She ran an excellent second fresh up in track record time before fighting on for fourth amongst a quality field on Invercargill Cup Day after sitting parked throughout. Drawing barrier four over 1700m at any track is no picnic and is probably adding to Ebonezy’s win price. So while she’s not quite a lock-in in all multis, she is as close to it as you’ll find at Gore on Saturday.

Tua Lipa (Race 12 – 5.34pm)

A big upgrade in draw looks the key to this pacer’s chances in Saturday’s finale. Tua Lipa powered home from a hopeless spot to run third at last week’s Invercargill Cup meeting. It is probably an understatement to say that moving from barrier 14 to barrier 2 will be a big help at Gore. While Cracker Opie is a deserved favourite for Saturday’s last race, Tua Lipa represents nice each-way value at around three times his opening odds. As far as each-way plays go, Tua Lipa looks as good as any at Gore.

Pyramid Rose (Race 11 – 4.59pm)

An excellent third placing at the recent Harness 5000 meeting at Ashburton has this mare primed for a big Gore outing. Most will note her runs before her placing weren’t flash at all, but they came on grass, which she has repeatedly shown she isn’t much good on. Pyramid Rose’s previous run on all-weather was a nice fifth at Addington where she ran on well from a hopeless spot. She slots into a very workable grade at Gore and looks a serious winning threat.

Blaze Lightening (Race 5 – 1.50pm)

An excellent last-start third suggested Blaze Lightening is waking up to what the racing game is all about. The three-year-old’s form had been solid prior, but it went to a new level when he worked hard on a quick time and placed behind a quality winner at Winton. Blaze Lightening wouldn’t need to produce much more to be very hard to beat at Gore. From a great draw, he’s a big chance of landing on pace, which would give his rivals plenty to chase.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand