| FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
YEAR: 2012
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Owners Clive and Rona McKay had a speedy return on a horse they bought on Friday. On the morning of the premier meeting at Addington they paid Spreydon Lodge for a half-share in the 2-year-old Franco Nelson, and by the time the night was over, they had part of the payment back.
A colt by Christian Cullen, Franco Nelson had made a stunning debut a fortnight earlier, beating Border Control and Sir Tosti Mach. The Purdon-Payne pair were in again, badly off at the start, but the big danger was Ohoka Punter, off the pole, and Franco Nelson was drawn to follow him out. That's what happened, but instead of Okoka Punter doing enough to hold him out, he didn't.
Franco Nelson worked up the passing lane for Craig Thornley to win the Avon City Ford Welcome Stakes by half a head, and the McKays were $11,000 better off. The money should keep coming because driver Craig Thornley said he would only keep getting better. "It was a big training effort by Steven (McRae) to win a Group race at just his second start, but the horse is very good. Ohoka Punter got a length and a half on me turning in, but I didn't panic, and just chased him up."
While Thornley is uncertain what Franco Nelson would do next, he thinks it won't be very much in the short term. "I know Steven has the Breeders Stakes in mind. He is a very good trainer, and if he has a plan he sticks to it."
After leaving Franco Nereus, Fanco Noriega and four others before Franco Nelson and a filly by Live Or Die since, Notafella Franco was offered at a Spreydon Lodge dispersal sale a year ago in foal to Badlands Hanover where McRae, Andrew Stuart and Gareth Dixon bought her for $8000. The colt foal was born dead, and she was not served this season.
Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 4Apr2012
YEAR: 2013
2013 MUSCARA STANDARDBREDS PROUD SPONSOR NZ DERBY
Border Control got the best of a tight struggle with Bit Of A Legend to win the Muscara Standardbreds Proud Sponsor New Zealand Derby at Addington last Friday night. Given the perfect trip from the prefect draw, Border Control led for nearly a lap before driver Mark Purdon gave it up to Dexter Dunn.
It was a predictable move because Dunn was the one to beat with Bit Of A Legend and there was little doubt he'd hand it up. With the favourite Ohoka Punter having to make ground on them from well back, they were in good shape to run the last lap as Dunn pleased. Ohoka Punter was a safe third and Mossdale Connor came on from three deep to beat Scotlynn Jiggs for fourth.
It was another creditable result for Bettor's Delight, who sired the first four home from five starters, and it was the ninth New Zealand Derby win for Mark Purdon as a driver, following Auckland Reactor, Likmesiah, Jack Cade, Young Rufus, Bogan Fella, The Court Owl, Il Vicolo and Mark Roy. As well, he has co-trained Derby winners, Fly Like An Eagle and Sleepy Tripp.
Border Control is raced bu Phil and Glenys Kennard, Neil Pilcher, Gavin Douglas, Phil and Margaret Creighton and Kevin Riseley, an Australian who took a shine to the horse when he was being sold and asked to be included in the partnership.
The winner of 10 races and a maiden a month or so back, Border Control may well have his next race in Western Australia. Purdon said there was a direct flight to Perth for the race on April 14, and the stake of $250,000 made it worth considering. "He really is the perfect racehorse," said Purdon. "He's got the manners and the travelling won't bother him."
Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 10Apr2013