Franco Light shines on debut

As debuts go, yesterday’s performance by Franco Light at Addington mapped out perfectly for Weedons trainer Alan Edge.

“He went nice. He has sheer ability,” says Edge. 

Driven by John Dunn in the Betavet Betabreathe For Airway Support Trot, Franco Light showed impeccable manners from his unruly draw, leading then trailing within the first 800 metres. From there it became a waiting game, Dunn firing up the four-year-old Creatine gelding at the top of the home straight, winning comfortably by a neck from runner-up Still Hope.

“John Dunn said this thing is a really nice horse,” says Edge.

Edge first became aware of Franco Light through his mate Neil Munro, who works at Spreydon Lodge, where he was purchased from.

“Neil Munro put me onto it, working at Spreydon Lodge. They were getting rid of a few of their trotters, so I spoke to Styx (Steve McRae) and made the deal.”

Franco Light qualified on his third attempt when trained by McRae at the end of 2025 before being turned out and subsequently purchased by Edge.

“We have had him for about two-and-a-half months. Styx had done a lot of work with the horse already, and qualified it.”

Prior to yesterday’s debut, Franco Light had trialled three times with Edge, winning two of them, and was a big mover in the market.

“We’ll turn him out for 10 days, then we will just line him up where we can. It gets pretty hard when you win a maiden first up when we are still trying to develop the horse.” 

“We will decide whether we press him, or just wait for the Central circuit over Christmas.”

He is raced by Edge and his partner Cheree Wigg. Edge has trained 42 winners, winning over $430,000 in stakes.

FRANCO LIGHT REPLAY

In other highlights on a programme dominated by favourites (winning six of the eight races) , Sam Thornley drove a treble (Dance Hall Girl, Kotare Argent, DJ’s Gamble), John Dunn drove a double (Franco Light, Gatecrasher), while Ross Houghton trained a double (Dance Hall Girl, Kotare Argent).

For complete race results, click here.

by Mike Love, for Harness Racing New Zealand