The General Franco bubble burst as explosively and expensively as anything done by his controversial namesake in the 1 400m handicap at a damp Durbanville on Saturday.
Jonathan Snaith and John Freeman lead General Franco in after his debut win (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Michael Clower writes that the R4 million Frankel colt started a warm 17-10 favourite and, just as his trainer predicted, he was settled at the back.
The commentator got excited when he made a bit of progress early in the straight but Richard Fourie was already, and ominously, niggling. The chestnut’s effort, such as it was, proved to be short-lived and fourth of five- over three lengths behind the winner – was the best he could manage.
Fourie had no excuses – “the handicapper got him” – and, while Michelle Rix, Harold Crawford and Spectra Force’s owners were celebrating, Justin Snaith was reflecting on the favourite’s high rating.
“I have been trying to prove the handicappers right, doing everything I can and using all my skill to build the horse up so that he could compete in a race like this but giving him 102 for a maiden …..” For once words failed even Justin Snaith.
To be fair to the handicappers they weren’t the only ones who got it wrong.
Most of the media – and none more so than this writer – were bowled over by the colt’s debut win to such an extent that they refused to countenance that his next, stone-last, run could be nearer the real General Franco.
- www.goldcircle.co.za
