Franco Humbie impresses fresh up

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner

Franco Humbie’s owners returned to the winner’s circle at Methven on Sunday to enjoy more success following their chance introduction to the pacer.

The four-year-old impressed in his return to racing when scoring a fresh up victory for trainer Ben Waldron and driver John Morrison.

Franco Humbie is raced by a big group of owners who came together following a suggestion from Waldron’s long-time client Neil ‘Timmsy’ Timms.

“They are a great bunch of lads that race him,” Waldron said.

“Neil Timms was at the stable one day and the horse was tied up and he said he had a group of fellas that wouldn’t mind getting into a horse like him.”

“I have raced quite a lot of horses with Timmsy over the years and we have had a bit of luck.”

Franco Humbie looks to be in for an encouraging preparation following his fresh up win.

Though he did have a sweet run in the trail, the pacer was fresh up against some hardy opposition.

“It is the best he has gone over a bit of distance, so he might have strengthened up a bit,” Waldron said.

“He has always been quick enough but he just needed a bit more time to get stronger.”

“He has had a couple of wee things go wrong towards the end of last campaign, he had nice runs in a couple of races and didn’t run on.”

“It was just a couple of wee things that we put the time into fixing and he seems to be on the right track now.”

If one thing is certain with the pacer it is Franco Humbie has a huge range of racing options heading forward.

“We will try to pick our moments with him, there is so much racing coming up to choose from.”

“We will try to look after him and place him as best as we can.”

All four of Waldron’s training wins this season have come on grass tracks.

Franco Humbie has scored twice on grass with Penny Weight and Georgie Zukov also scoring on turf.

The trainer has a team of young horses coming through that may be able to add to his tally, but he’s not getting head of himself.

“There are some young ones there but I have been around long enough not to get too excited just yet.”

“They are a steady lot and they are doing everything right and I am definitely positive about them.”

“But that doesn’t mean a lot until they have got to prove it.”

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