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.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.Brian Christopher races at 9.20pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday.