Speedy pacer Franco Santino has his pedigree to blame for not being able to enjoy a winter holiday.
The 3yr-old will start for the first time since his third placing in the group 2 Southern Supremacy Stakes in today’s feature pace.
Many of Franco Santino’s rivals from that event will be rugged up with their heads in their winter feed buckets when the Nathan Williamson-trained and driven pacer steps out in race 6.
Franco Santino is not in for a luxurious winter, partly because unlike many of those rivals he has not been gelded.
Rather than have the horse striding around the spelling paddock and displaying colty behaviour he will trying to win races.
"We thought with him being a colt and him being on the weaker side we would keep him active through the winter."
Franco Santino is by Christian Cullen from 10-win Western Ideal mare San RafaellaKeeping him a colt gives his owner, Neville Cleaver, the faintest of hope of his horse developing into a stallion prospect like close relation Raging Bull. Williamson gave Franco Santino a short break after his bold third in the Southern Supremacy Stakes.
The pacer’s return to full fitness has been made tricky with Southland trials and workouts finished for the season.
Williamson said his charge was as fit as he could be without having the benefit of a recent pipe-opener.
"He has had a bit of racing under him though. He only had about 10 days off after the Supremacy. He is probably 90%. He will definitely improve with a couple of races.
"Franco Santino has not seen the standing start tapes in a race, trial or workout and will face them for the first time today.
"He has not had an official stand anywhere. He is a sensible horse, but there is a bit of a question mark on how he will begin."
"He has had a bit of practice at home and he has been adequate there. I think eventually he will be quite a good standing-start horse."
Mad Lui Li, Pass The Speights and Shadow Minister look the pacers Franco Santino has to beat.
Nathan Williamson lines up Grey Power in race 5, tomorrow’s feature trot.The horse looks an each-way chance behind main contenders Arran Chief, Peggy Nova and Red Hot Poker. Grey Power ran third in last night’s feature trot at Forbury Park behind her stablemate Splash Cola.
Splash Cola was patiently handled by driver Matthew Williamson in a tactical affair.
He kept the mare out of the duals for the lead involving Madison Jane, Kiwi Crusher and Heard The Whisper before launching Splash Cola for a big finish in the straight.
