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Franco Nandor will wear spreaders on Tuesday to stop him from hitting his knee. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.

Al looking for front-running advantage with Franco Nandor and Brian Christopher

Trainer Al Barnes is expecting good front-running performances from both Franco Nandor at Albion Park on Tuesday and Brian Christopher at Redcliffe on Wednesday.

Barnes was pleased with the efforts of both horses last week and says Franco Nandor, in particular, went better than it might have looked to the casual observer.

Sent out a $151 outsider, Barnes drove the horse hard from three on the gate and was about to cross easily when Franco Nandor got on his knee, struck his knee boot, which dislodged, then hit his knee again, causing him to break stride.

Barnes was able to get the horse back into his gait quite quickly - “he only scrambled, he didn’t really gallop” - and after settling fourth in the running line, eventually gained a one-out one-back trail.

“But he got on one rein after that - obviously feeling his knee - and I couldn’t steer him. He was travelling round the turn but I couldn’t pull him out.”

Franco Nandor finished eighth, 14.5 metres from the impressive winner Watts Up Sunshine, who ran fifth in Krug’s Redcliffe Derby at the weekend.

“I’ve rectified the problem this week by fitting spreaders so he can’t hit his knee.

“I was really happy with his run last week and he’ll be stronger this time. I’ve also put a good driver back on in (son) Hayden and hopefully he can cross from five and we’ll see how he goes in front.

“It’s a good, even field - a couple go pretty well - but he’s a chance to get some money. If he leads, they’ve got to catch him.”

Franco Nandor, who has won two of his 15 starts, is raced by international Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox, Denis Ebert, Steve MacDonald, Chris Prutton, Wayne Seebeck and Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street.

Brian Christopher led all the way in his only win at Manawatu last December. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Brian Christopher led all the way in his only win at Manawatu last December. PHOTO: Royden Williams.Barnes will drive Brian Christopher himself again at Redcliffe where he got a pleasant surprise last week with how hard the horse tried when second to hotpot Paratrouper.

Brian Christopher, who had shown little in trackwork leading up to his Queensland debut, made the front from gate three without any effort and leaves from the same spot on Wednesday night.

“Hopefully we’ll be in front again and they’ll have to catch us. He was a touch short on fitness first-up which cost him, and was keen in the run.

“He meets a similar field to last week and if he repeats that effort he’s a winning chance.

“Mullum Boy looks the one to beat but it will be harder for him drawn three on the second row.”

Franco Nandor races at 6.42pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.Franco Nandor races at 6.42pm NZ time at Albion Park on Tuesday.Brian Christopher races at 9.20pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday.Brian Christopher races at 9.20pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Tuesday twilight at Cambridge

Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
5.55pm

“The race never panned out for him on debut, he got too far back from a second row draw, but we’ve got the gun draw and gun driver (Zachary Butcher) on this time. He can run off the gate a bit so I don’t see why he can’t lead. I’d like to think he’s a chance to get some money. He’s been trialling and working well.”

Ray Green

Ray’s tips

Thursday night at Auckland

Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.41pm

“He missed four or five days work with an abscess in his foot when he came back from Manawatu so he could be a bit short.”

Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.41pm

“She doesn’t handle the bends so well the Auckland way and is just going round to lose points. She’s been crucified by the handicapping system.”

Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
6.06pm

“He’s not the finished article yet but he’s slowly getting the hang of it. There are nicer horses in the race than the ones he raced against at Manawatu so I’Il be happy if he can just do everything right and run a slot.”

Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.31pm

“She won from a wide draw last time at Manawatu but this is a slightly harder field. She keeps drawing badly and the outside gate might inconvenience her again.”

Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.22pm

“He got pushed out down the back last time because he couldn’t keep up. We had big aspirations for him but it looks like he isn’t as good as we thought. Nothing can beat Marketplace.”

Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
7.54pm

“I’m sure she’s up to them when she’s right but she’s had her setbacks recently. First she tied up and then she kicked out at something and bruised a foot. She’s right now but that will render her not 100% fit.”

Race 9: Lincoln La Moose
9.36pm

“He went good races at Palmy but he pulled far too hard here last time. It was a better run than it looks on paper though as he couldn’t get a run at them in the straight. He’s probably on his mark now and will need a bit of luck.”

Whales Harness