Trainer Gary Hall Snr trained the quinella when his clever gelding Franco Motu (Always B Miki) outwitted his rivals to beat the Group 2 $125,000 North Coast Fiberglass Neerabup four-year-old pace at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.
Virtually friendless in the betting, Franco Motu was piloted by Stuart McDonald, while stablemate Alta Tribute was fielded by Maddison Brown.
The highly sought-after Bettors Pride galloped shortly after the start and was back in the field to settle down.
FRANCO MOTU OCTOBER 25 REPEAT
Im Lightning Banner showed tremendous speed from the pole draw and held the early lead with well-backed favorite Justcallmemiki at the back of the field from his second row. Golden Lode from the inside of the second row was able to follow Im Lightning Banner to follow the leader.
Franco Motu secured the one out and one back path to directly follow Alta Tribute, who was caught outside the leader.
Justcallmemiki made a three-wide run to enter the straight a lap ahead and Copy Cat Queen followed. However, he could not sustain the run and gradually dropped out.
Franco Motu retreated home. Alta Tribute showed a lot of fight, but could not hold on to Franco Motu’s finish and he won by a neck from a courageous Alta Tribute. Waverider, with the three of us back on track, was desperately unlucky as we were still looking for clear space to take a striking third place.
McDonald didn’t seem too surprised after the win.
“He’s had a few little problems. We’ll get over it. Obviously the barrier has hindered him a lot lately and the racing has just been difficult. But when you get to a convenient spot so early and you don’t have to leave until late, he shows his best side.”
“I traveled very easily. I waited just as long before I could leave the back of Alta Tribute.”
“As soon as I left I thought I had to take them, but I was a bit lucky that I wanted to ride the other one. But in the end it was the right decision.”
“2500m in the Golden Nuggett suits him. He has done a few stands over 2500 and he has won them all.”
“It will obviously come down to barriers. But we will probably have three runners in there. They are all as good as each other. It’s a good choice to have because Jnr is away for that (Gary Hall Jnr) and it will all come down to the barriers.”
The $200,000 Group 1 Golden Nugget will be held at Gloucester Park on November 7 and will be a very open, no-show competition. As McDonald pointed out, the draw will be the most important factor in determining who becomes the favorite.
By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink
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