Trainer-leader Robbie Williams became concerned when his inexperienced four-year-old Franco Sheriff (Vincentius) was in a volatile mood during the preliminary round on track for the $27,000 Taste Of WA Next Friday Pace over 2536m at Gloucester Park on Friday evening.
Despite going into the race with just eleven starts to his name – against eight racing rivals who had a combined total of 831 starts – Franco Sheriff was a warm $2.30 favorite from the No. 1 barrier.
“He threw his head in the preliminary round, which seemed to bother him,” Williams said. “So I removed the stick stick on the side, and luckily it didn’t stick during the race.”
Franco Sheriff was beaten by Louie Lebeau ($23) and Cams Boulder ($12) for his early speed, but he was able to hold on and lead. He then set a solid pace to win comfortably by three lengths from Louie Lebeau and Infinite Sign ($5.50), with a rating of 1.57.5 after the final quarters of 28.6 seconds. and 28.8 sec.
FRANCO SHERIFF REPEAT
This brought Franco Sheriff’s record to twelve starts for five wins, two placings and $46,770. He has won once from six starts in New Zealand and his six WA starts have produced four wins and a third place.
“The early speed got him going a bit, and shooting the horses wide out of the gate helped him, and he had never traveled like that before,” Williams said. “He’s usually too lax.”
Williams was impressed with the way Franco Sheriff performed, and is considering nominating him for the Golden Nugget preludes in the coming weeks.
“He is being raced very lightly and is getting used to our racing style,” Williams said. “After the way he went tonight, maybe we can take a look at the preludes.”
Franco Sheriff is ridden by a group of 18 enthusiastic stable clients. “A friend of mine in New Zealand called me and recommended I buy it,” Williams said. “I looked at him and quite liked him, and he wasn’t too expensive a horse. And it’s great to have a big syndicate and so many people involved in harness racing.”
Franco Sheriff is a son of former star pacer Vincent and is the second foal out of Bettor’s Delight mare My Shieldmaiden, who raced 16 times for one win, six seconds and $13,117 in stakes.
My Shieldmaiden’s mother, Alta Serena, was an excellent pacer who earned $593,618 from 21 wins and 21 placings from 62 starts. She won 18 of her 51 appearances in New Zealand and was successful in three of her eleven Australian starts.
Alta Serena won several main events, including a Group 1 race for three-year-old fillies at Addington in May 2003 and the 3200m Group 1 Easter Cup at Addington in April 2005. She also finished second to Mainland Banner in the Group 1 New Zealand Cup in November 2005.
For full race results, click here.
Through Ken Casellasfor Gloucester Park
#Franco #Sheriff #Golden #Nugget #strong #win