Franco Sinatra dominant in Methven Cup victory

By Mike Love 

Co-trainer Cran Dalgety is encouraged, but not getting carried away, with Franco Sinatra's progress after his win in yesterday’s Group 3 Alabar Methven Cup. 

It was the six-year-old's second big win in three weeks following his success in the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru.

His place in the Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup is assured but Dalgety knows there is still plenty to do between now and Tuesday, November 10. 

“He’ll still have to improve a bit more to be in the top four or five, but if we’re panicking about that, then there's plenty behind us panicking more,” said Dalgety.

Driver Carter Dalgety got the free-legged pacer away from the stand. Once settled, Dalgety moved around to take the lead, where they stayed before sizzling   home in 56.1 seconds for the final 800. Mo’unga finished a close second, just half-a-length away, with Wag Star in third. 

“He keeps improving, and he’s even surprised us. Yesterday was a good test over the 3000m on the grass. He’s standing to attention now.”

The win gave the Dalgetys their first Methven Cup, while Franco Sinatra has now won 16 races and over $280,000 in stakes. 

Franco Sinatra and Dalgety are likely to head to the Group 2 Canterbury Classic at Addington on October 16. 

“He’ll probably go to the Canterbury Classic, along with Republican Party.”

One decision left now for Dalgety to make is who will take the reins behind the six-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding, with Carter glued to Republican Party’s seat. 

“We’ve not decided that yet, we will just have to wait and see.” 

After opening at $81 for the New Zealand Cup Franco Sinatra is now at $26,  with Leap To Fame a commanding $1.80 favourite.  Marketplace ($4.20) and defending champion Kingman ($8) are the only other horses in single figures. 

Other highlights of the day included Vertigo’s win in the Yabby Dam Farms Fillies & Mares Handicap Trot.

Driven by Wilson House for trainer Lawrence McCormick, Vertigo, coming off 10 metres, settled four then five back on the fence of the big 17-horse field, before being shuffled towards the back. House kept his cool, angling the eight-year-old Peak mare for her run, swooping down the outer to win by three-quarters of a length from Dynasty, and Princess Sadie. In a thrilling finish there was less than four lengths covering the first 10 horses home.

Vertigo has now won 13 races and over $160,000 in stakes.