Last start winner Francesco is primed to keep his winning momentum going when he lines up in the $85,000 Ladbrokes.com.au Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Francesco, blue and red colours, is primed for back to back wins in the Ladbrokes.com.au Handicap at Rosehill. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Francesco broke through for his maiden win over 1200m at Kembla Grange on July 6 and has continued to improve on the training tracks as he heads back to city racing.
Gai Waterhouse thought enough of the Wanted colt’s ability during his two year old year to send him to Melbourne to run in the Group 1 $1m Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield during the 2014 Melbourne Autumn Carnival.
But the three year old could have a good future if he continues to perform up to his smart trackwork session he produced during the week.
Waterhouse gave out a free tip for Francesco in her trackwork report on her website when she wrote “Look out for this son of Wanted at Rosehill this Saturday.”
The First Lady Of The Turf also wrote that Blake Shinn gave her a glowing report following his Tuesday morning hit out and the top jockey will be in the saddle again on Saturday.
“Very happy and has improved” is what Blake Shinn said after getting off last start winner Francesco. The gelding worked over 1400m coming home his last 200m in 11.8 seconds,” Waterhouse wrote.
Francesco is on the second line of betting at Ladbrokes.com.au at $4.60 behind $2.50 favourite Alegria from the John O’Shea stable.
Waterhouse will also saddle up $21 chance Duccio who is having his second run back from a spelling following a first up sixth in a $85,000 BenchMark 75 Handicap at Rosehill on July 4.
Thomas Huet has gained the ride on Duccio and Waterhouse said that she was happy with his Thursday morning workout but expects him to show his best over a longer journey.
“Duccio “bowled around nicely” and “felt sharp” according to Steve O’Halloran (work rider) ahead of Saturday’s race. The potential stayer cruised over 1400m coming home his last 200m in 12.1 seconds in what was a very stylish gallop,” Waterhouse wrote in her trackwork report.
Duccio has shown plenty of promise during the 2014 Sydney Spring Carnival with a second to stablemate and subsequent Group 1 winner Hampton Court in the Listed $100,000 TAB Betting Season Dulcify Quality (1600m) at Randwick.
Race favourite Alegria is overdue for another win and heads back to Rosehill following a last start third on the track in a 1500m BenchMark 75 on July 4.
