Well-bred colt sails in

The well bred Franco Sailor (Bettor’s Delight) finally lived up to his pedigree when he led and won at the Winton Harness Racing Club meeting at Central Southand Raceway today.

Franco Sailor is out of the four win McArdle mare Selina Franco whose first foal Commander Ben (Art Major) won four races.

Selina Franco’s dam San Rafaella (Western Ideal) won ten of her nineteen starts and has produced Franco Santino (Christian Cullen) the winner of nine, and the promising Franco Sinatra (Captaintreacherous) which had won six.

“He’s got the breeding to be anything and he’s a lovely type of horse. He just needs to keep improving,” trainer driver Nathan Williamson said after Franco Sailor won by four lengths on an easy track.

FRANCO SAILOR REPLAY

Riverton fisherman Neville Cleaver purchased Franco Sailor at the 2022 Yearling Sales for $110,000 after he successfully raced Franco Santino.

Prior to debuting, the colt had been to four workouts and a trial. He disappointed on debut, finishing ninth. He was then given two more workouts before running sixth which was followed by a fourth. Today’s win was at start number four.

“Being a colt, he’s quite a thick winded horse and it’s just taken a few runs to sharpen him up. He has got better with each run so that’s all you can ask. He showed a bit of gate speed today and came off nice. He was happy in front and I was happy to leave him there.”

The winning time was 1-59.6.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink