By Jonny Turner
The race’s first few seconds are likely to decide whether Steven McRae goes home with today’s Shannon Farm Cromwell Cup again.
McRae has been a fixture at the Central Otago summer harness racing circuit in recent seasons and is already enjoying another successful trip south before the final meeting at Cromwell.
Cinderella Franco was as impressive as any maiden winner south of the Waitaki in recent times when she sped to victory at Omakau on Friday.
The filly will be out to make it two from two in what looks like a suitable assignment at Cromwell in Race 3, the On Point NZ Glass Junior Drivers Mobile Pace (2.19pm).
“From what she showed us at home we were hopeful she would go well, but we didn’t think she was past the post,” McRae said.
“She had only had two trials and she is still very green.”
“I said to the owners it will probably take her four or five starts to work it all out.”
“With the run she got at Omakau it wasn’t a surprise she was able to win, but the way she did it we probably weren’t picking that.”
Typical of any experienced trainer, McRae isn’t counting on Cinderella Franco being a certainty at Cromwell despite her odds suggesting she’s just that.
“There are a few wee variables there that she has to overcome.”
“She’s on the grass this time and against horses that have had a lot of racing, just with her greenness she is going to have to take that all in her stride.”
“She’s a fairly unfinished article at this point.”
McRae will be out to add to his good Cromwell Cup record when Amaretto Franco steps out in the meeting’s feature (6.05pm).
A scratchy beginning didn’t help her chances when she ran fifth in the Roxburgh Cup on Sunday.
The trainer is hopeful a few minor adjustments can help the six-year-old get away cleanly on Tuesday.
“She used to get away pretty well but she ran into a couple of false starts and now she can get a bit worked up.”
“We are going to try a couple of things with her to help her get away.”
“I think the wider spaces at Cromwell might help her.”
“Even though she missed away at Roxburgh I thought she should’ve run third but she should be better for it.”
“If she got away with them on Tuesday I’d think she would give them something to think about.”
McRae will also make gear changes with Ma Belle Amie Franco, who disappointed in her debut at Gore after producing handy trials.
“We had a few steering issues at Gore, I wouldn’t imagine she would do that again.”
“She goes handy enough but the draw (8) does look tough for her.”
Gemma Thornley combines with all three of McRae’s runners at Cromwell.
Jonny Turner’s Five to Follow at Cromwell
Cinderella Franco – Race 3
What a debut she made at Omakau. The cameras had to keep zooming out down the straight as she got further and further in front of the field. I will put my hand straight up and say I underrated her going into her first start following her handy trial efforts. I doubt anyone will be doing that again after her epic display. She’s probably not one for punters to get excited about outside of Multis, First4s and the like.But if she can repeat her first-up win, Cromwell could prove a stepping stone to bigger things for this filly.
Our Twinkle – Race 4
If there’s a horse racing at Cromwell that deserves a victory, it is this guy. Two starts ago he roughed it with smart three-year-olds in the Harness 5000 at Ashburton, putting a listed-level placing next to his name. In his last start at Gore he was wide and parked throughout before going down by a narrow margin. Grass could be the winning factor for Our Twinkle given he’s looked a strong rolling type, rather than a speedster in his short career. The field he meets looks one of the easiest he’s taken on so far and he should be winning if he does take to grass as expected.
Harriet’s Moment – Race 5
This mare’s Omakau outing was a difficult watch, she looked to run into a tight spot with runners on her inner and outer. After losing momentum, her day was about done. With new recent misses next to her name, Harriet’s Moment has dropped into what looks a very workable grade for a horse of her ability. A quick glance at the form shows there are absolutely no standouts in her assignment. Whether her recent form will add a bit of value for punters looks unlikely but not impossible.Regardless, Harriet’s Moment looks a nice winning chance.
Jaccka Jim – Race 7
Similarly to Cinderella Franco, this guy bolted in at Omakau in his debut. He didn’t power away to win by quite the same margin but he was very impressive. The key to his win was the steady but safe beginning he made. Jaccka Jim gave the leaders a head-start early before handing them a thrashing on the line. While he still has plenty to learn he seems to have real upside. That greenness is a concern but the 2600m staying test he faces on Tuesday looks to give him the time to get away and get comfortable. He’s probably the best horse in his race and one to keep a real eye on going forward.
One Mhor For Heather – Race 9
She doesn’t bring the best form and her last-start gallop is a concern. There is no doubting this mare can do things wrong at times and adding to the concern is that she hasn’t featured on grass in her four attempts. However she looks to drop into a very winnable race and a look at the replays show she can get a pass for her previous grass outings. One Mhor For Heather looks a potential value option for Cromwell punters, that is if she can slip under the radar of bookmakers following her last start gallop at Omakau.
