Punters who think Canterbury mare Nemera Franco looks like a winner on paper may need to approach today’s Cromwell meeting with caution.
There is no question over the talent of the Steven McRae-trained pacer who contests the Cromwell Businesses Cup. But there are some concerns about where she is at, physically.
The speed 5yr-old pulled up below her best, and with a slow recovery rate, when she finished seventh against a field of quality mares during the New Zealand Cup carnival.
The Bettor’s Delight pacer has had many health issues.
Because of that and a scratchy final hit-out leading into today’s 1800m mobile race, McRae is slightly wary.
And it will not be until after the race until he gets the full picture on Nemera Franco’s progress.
"It is hard with the bug she has had whether she is better or not.
"I was pretty happy with her when we brought her down [to Cromwell] and I was pretty happy with her going to Omakau.
"After that got called off I gave her a hit-out the next day and I wasn’t overly impressed, if I am being brutally honest.
"I am not sure just where we are at, but we probably won’t know until we send her back around, really.”"
Nemera Franco’s health battles make it difficult to have the mare in peak condition for each race.
"She is that sort of horse. She has had a lot of health issues and she doesn’t have much of an immune system," McRae said.
"She can sort of go from being good one day to not so much the next."
Nemera Franco’s brilliant grass track record and her
blistering speed make her the horse to beat in today’s race. But if she is off her game there are several rivals who could prove too slick for her.
They include stablemates Team Kiwi, Good On Ya Kiwi and Dachy.
Nemera Franco was the $1.60 favourite ahead of Team Kiwi ($4.80), Dachy ($4.80) and Good On Ya Kiwi ($9.50) when fixed-odds betting opened yesterday.
Lawrence opened the $3.90 favourite before quickly being backed into $3.50 win odds in the Cromwell Cup.
The Alister Black-trained pacer went an excellent race in his last start when second behind Bettathanfast in the Gore Cup.
That was Lawrence’s second standing start. His first was at Winton in his previous run.
The 5yr-old will again step into new territory today in his first start on grass.
