Fresh from their Group 1 Invercargill Cup win, Cran, Chrissie and Carter Dalgety will be hoping to send another Southland trophy back to Canterbury when Franco Sinatra heads to Gore’s big day.
For that to happen, Franco Sinatra will have to overcome the 30-yard deficit in the Gore Cup.
While it is clearly a challenge, it is not one that the Dalgety shy away from.
“It won’t be easy, but he has earned his handicap as a class rider in the field.”
“We’ve had some luck in the Gore Cup and we’ll need a little bit more if we want to make it this year.”
“From the back mark you have to move with how things are going for you.”
“But we wouldn’t trade our horse for anything else during the race.”
“We are going into it very satisfied with him, without being too confident.”
Franco Sinatra comes to the Gore Cup after a creditable fifth place in the Invercargill Cup, where he chased home his star stablemate Republican Party.
“His performance was very respectable at Group 1 level.”
“He is in a class where he cannot avoid the good horses.”
“There have been times when luck has not been on his side, but at no point has he disgraced himself.”
“There’s no Leap To Fame or Republican Party there on Saturday, so we’re hoping to make the best of it.”
Franco Sinatra is one of the eight drives that Carter Dalgety takes during the Gore Christmas Trot.
The rider rates BB Crunch, Andy Hall and Clonakilty among his best prospects outside of Franco Sinatra.
“Andy Hall has run very fair races in tougher classes.”
“He fits into a very suitable race and should be a great opportunity.”
“BB Crunch doesn’t have much appeal to work with, but it’s a nice return to the classroom for her too.”
“Clonakilty should be a pretty handy opportunity too.”
“He is very consistent and has a nice draw to work with.”
Jonny Turner’s Five to Follow at Gore :
Hobbs (Race 18 – 2.20pm)
The timing seems perfect for this local mare to add to her already impressive record on her home track. On her last visit, Hobbs overcame a slow breakaway before cruising home in record time for an emphatic win. The four-year-old recently returned to racing at Winton and ran an excellent second, which was important and made a good start. Hobbs is fitter for that run and should hold all sorts of ground on Saturday. I think she is clearly the best horse in her race and she seems ready to show that.
Ebonezy (Race 4 – 1.25pm)
If she didn’t race over 1700 meters you’d almost say she was a good thing. Ebonezy has been excellent in her two starts this time and the Southland Oaks filly is all about her name. She ran an excellent second fresh start in track record time before battling for fourth place in a quality field on Invercargill Cup Day after being parked the entire time. Pulling barrier four over 1700 meters on any track is no small feat and likely contributes to Ebonezy’s winning prize. So while she’s not quite a lock in all the multis, she’s as close as you’ll find at Gore on Saturday.
Tua Lipa (race 12 – 5.34pm)
A major improvement in the draw seems to be the key to this pacer’s chances in Saturday’s final. Tua Lipa came home from a hopeless place to finish third at last week’s Invercargill Cup meeting. It’s probably an understatement to say that moving from Barrier 14 to Barrier 2 will be a big help for Gore. While Cracker Opie is a fair favorite for Saturday’s final race, Tua Lipa represents nice value either way at around three times his opening odds. As far as each-way play goes, Tua Lipa looks as good as any player at Gore.
Pyramid Rose (race 11 – 4.59pm)
An excellent third place at the recent Harness 5000 meeting in Ashburton has this mare ready for a big Gore outing. Most will note that her runs before her placement were not flashy at all, but they came on grass, which she has repeatedly shown she is not very good at. Pyramid Rose’s previous all-weather run was a fine fifth at Addington, where she ran well from a hopeless spot. She gets a very workable degree from Gore and looks like a serious winning threat.
Blaze Lightening (Race 5 – 1.50pm)
An excellent third last start suggested that Blaze Lightening is waking up to what the racing game is all about. The three-year-old’s form had previously been solid, but he took it to a new level when he worked hard to set a fast time and put himself behind a quality winner in Winton. Blaze Lightening wouldn’t have to produce much more to be very difficult to beat at Gore. A great draw gives him a great chance of landing on pace, which would give his rivals plenty to chase.
For full race entries, click here.
Through Jonny Turnerfor Harness Racing New Zealand
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