Varenna Franco gives Leacock-Jones first training win

[Wandering Eyes]

By Mike Love 

A lot of excitement greeted Greendale trainer Norm Leacock-Jones’ first training success at Banks Peninsula yesterday.

“We were all jumping up and down because we thought we’d got second – so when the announcer called her in first we couldn’t believe it,” said Leacock-Jones.  

In Race 3, the Seahorse Supplements Seahorse Mobile Pace, John Morrison eased Varenna Franco back from her outside draw to settle back of midfield in the running line. A couple of mid-race lead changes improved their position to one out one back from the 1200m. Morrison peeled just short of the home bend to swoop to the lead and did very well to hold out the shortest priced favourite of the day in Mariana Trench to win by a nose. 

“Everyone was congratulating me which I thought was awesome. It was really overwhelming.” 

“The run at Rangiora when she did all of the work didn’t really suit her. The plan was to try not to do too much work and have a go at them at the end.”

Leacock-Jones currently trains a small team including two fillies currently at the workouts – a trotter and another “really big pacer.”

“We work them down at the Hororata track, but it’s been closed the last couple of weeks because they’ve been doing fencing so we haven’t been able to do much work with them really.” 

Vareena Franco is raced by the Bad Wolf syndicate, including Leacock-Jones’ mother Jacqueline Jones. It was the four-year- old Vincent mare’s first win in four starts.

“She got a bit messy so I’ll need to change a bit of gear on her to get that sorted.” 

“She’ll get a run on Wednesday – then we will probably go to Ashburton on Saturday.”

Leacock-Jones helped his father Donald Jones who trained 10 winners, most of which came from well performed entire Copperhead Rose.  

“The plan really is to get horses going and then sell them.”

“I owe a big thanks to everyone that has helped me out, everyone is always happy to give advice if I need it. Right from the start people have helped me out and I’m grateful.”   

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