Winnyzback and Faulks go back a long way

Burnham harness racing trainer Andrew Faulks and his first start Addington winner Winnyzback (Franco Ledger) have their share of history. 

Faulk broke in the horse’s sire Franco Ledger (Falcon Seelster), he trained Winnyzback’s mother Ferry Glide (Artiscape) and he has now won races with both of her progeny by Franco Ledger. 

Ferry Glide was raced by the WTC Syndicate (Waikouaiti Trotting Club). 

“We got her off Bill Bishop. She got better with age and won three races. She wasn’t very good from the standing start but all of her progeny have been. It’s funny how it works out like that,” Faulk said. 

As a broodmare Ferry Glide also left Falcon Ruler, (Falcon Seelster) which won four of his seven starts for Faulks before he was exported to Australia. 

“He died in Aussie from a heart attack. He was good horse.” 

In today’s race Winnyzback was back on the outside running line before slotting into the one one for most of the trip. Turning in, he still had ground to make on the leaders, but he came late to get up to win by a neck from Don Jaun (Vincent). 

“I’m not one of those fella’s that gets real confident. Even though he’d won his workouts and trials, he’d only beaten four or five. It was a big field today. He drew the second line and there were a lot of well performed horses in the race. I tried to get Blair Orange to drive him but he was committed. I don’t like chopping and changing drivers but I don’t mind sacking myself.” 

WINNYZBACK REPLAY

Faulks also trained Fitzthebill, a full-brother to Winnyzback which won at his second start. He’s been turned out for a spell. 

“He’s trained off and he’s not as strong and robust as his younger brother. He won at his second start and it was probably the worst thing he could have done because it made it a bit tougher for him. Mark (O’Neil) has taken him home to Poolburn. 

Winnyzback which is named after Winston Peters, is raced by Faulks and The Wobbly Wheel Syndicate which was put together by O’Neil. 

“Mark loves his politics and Fitzthebill was originally called Smiles Like Jacinda but people complained and we had to change it. His stable name was Fitz and I had to think in a hurry.” 

O’Neil was at the races today and will take Fitzthebill home. But not before he’s delivered to Faulks another two year old by Franco Ledger called Rockoutray. 

“I won’t tell you the story of how that one got his name (laughter).”   

As a racehorse Franco Ledger won twenty five races and $682,514. As a sire he left thirty eight foals for nine qualifiers and five winners.  

His biggest winner so far has been Justalittlesip which won once for Ryal Bush trainer Peter Hunter,  and has gone on to win another nine races in Australia including his first five. Another of Franco Ledger’s stock, Into The Mystic, has won her only two starts in Australia.  

Franco Ledger stood at Macca Lodge and sadly died in November 2020. 

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink