Franco Marek’s NZ Cup bid at Addington tonight

[Wandering Eyes]

By Michael Guerin

Tonight’s $40,000 Allied Security Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington (8.14pm) isn’t Franco Marek’s Grand Final but it holds his ticket to his Grand Final.

The hard-running pacer looks the most likely beneficiary of his last-start conqueror Alta Meteor missing tonight’s Group 3 race after he beat many of these home when finishing second last start.

While owner-trainer Greg Manson was pleased with that performance tonight’s race has always been his early season aim with Franco Marek because it includes a golden ticket  for the winner into the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup on Tuesday, November 11.

Franco Marek raced in the Cup last season albeit it off an interrupted preparation but the great race may be even harder to get into this season with stars like Leap To Fame, Swayzee, Republican Party, Merlin, Don’t Stop Dreaming and Akuta certain to be in the field so there are really only nine, and probably less, spots up for grabs.
 
For a horse like Franco Marek who is still only a Rating 85 pacer a victory tonight is clearly the cleanest path to November 11.

“We want to be in the Cup again this season and this is how we want to get into it,” says Manson.

“So we have set him for this, had him up and going nice and early and I was really happy with his fresh up run.

“Alta Meteor was good beating us but our fella was looking at puddles when coming up the inside and the other horse just got too much momentum up.

“But he is not there this week and we really get our chance.”

Franco Marek and American Me finished in the placings behind Alta Meteor last start and they are suited again tonight as they tend to step and get handy, which could see them lead and trail again.

That will make it hard for all their rivals but particularly Mo’unga, who was running on well in the same race last start but faces a 10m handicap tonight in a race which may not have the moves to drag him into the race.

That is not to say they are the only chances in the race as the Dunn team looks set to come right this spring while Bazooka is an interesting addition to open class, albeit being on the unruly so likely to also settle back in the small field.

Later in the night the open class trotters return in the Basil Dean Trot over 1980m mobile with most eyes of Muscle Mountain.

The grand old horse has to start from the outside of the front line and was only given a quiet trial last week so one of the key questions will be whether driver Ben Hope decides to light him up and use his gate speed early.

The clear danger should be Love N The Port, who has been in great form in weaker races but has gate speed and could secure tactical advantage.

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