Amarula Franco carries on the Spreydon legacy

Gore trainer Tony Stratford is a beneficiary of the decision by Canterbury training establishment Spreydon Lodge to cut back on their numbers and Amarula Franco’s (Always B Miki) win at Winton on Thursday is proving to be a win/win for the Lodge and Stratford.

“Steven McRae rang me a few months ago and said a few horses could come this way if we were interested. We’ve always got owners prepared to take a share. We’ve had three down here so far. Franco Nashville is a nice maiden and this one is the next one,” Stratford said.

In Thursday’s race driver Blair Orange got Amarula Franco off the gate well, before handing up to Mea. When Red Hot Filly Pepper came round to take up the running, Amarula Franco was left three back on the inside. With 800 metres to run Orange eased his mare off the inside and moved up to sit parked. At the 400 Red Hot Filly Pepper and Amarula Franco were going head to head. Halfway down the straight it looked like Red Hot Filly Pepper would hold on but Amarula Franco was resolute and got up to win by half a length from a late charging Hazel Grace, with Red Hot Filly Pepper a head back in third.

AMARULA FRANCO REPLAY

“It was a good effort on a number of counts. It was good to see her get out of the gate in one piece and when I saw Blair hook out down the back, I thought he must know something I don’t.”

Although Amarula Franco is still part owned by her breeders, Stratford, his partner Jen Sheridan and Greg McLellan are now also in the ownership.

“She’s very inexperienced for her age which is a good thing, because she’s a big mare. Time will be her best friend and I’m sure she’ll go on with it.”

Late last season Amarula Franco had two starts for Spreydon Lodge trainer Steven McRae before she was shipped south to her new Gore stable. Stratford had taken her to just one trial prior to Thursday’s race.

Amarula Franco is out of Aziza, making her a half sister to Tiger Thompson, Magic Sign and Amaretto Franco. It’s a family that’s produced some nice fillies, including Kara Kara and Frangelico.

Horses owned by Spreydon Lodge have been to the fore for over three decades. Their first winner was Future Classic trained by Ian Shinn at Alexandra Park in December 1993.

The Stable’s principal trainers have been John Hay (34), Peter Davis (30) and Steven McRae (205).

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink