Legendary trainer-driver Gavin Lang last night returned to Bacchus March with the $75,000 Group 2 Dakin Refrigeration Easter Cup safely in his keeping after Franco Tristan staved off strong challenges from Scooterwillrev and Ryley Major in a desperately fought out three-way finish.
Franco Tristan (pictured), a Mcardle-Thoroughly Franco six-year-old gelding, gave Lang his fifth Easter Cup success, he was heavily supported throughout betting and didn’t let down his followers turning in an almost identical run to its heat winning performance last week, finding the top with two laps to travel over the 2698-metre staying test.
“Standing starts can throw up all sorts of anomalies, Franco Tristan may not have been the best horse out there tonight but he’s a good beginner and does everything right so he was always going to be hard to run down when we found the lead,” said Gavin.
“He travelled well in the first circuit and when the opportunity arose I had no hesitation in dashing him to the front, when Scooterwilllrev went to the death I was confident nothing was going to come around and add extra pressure as it would have signalled the end of their chances.”
Franco Tristan, the winner of three of its last six outings, enjoyed leisurely first and second splits of 31.3 and 30 seconds before Lang increased the tempo down the back the last time.
“I was very thankful to have enjoyed the run we did as I knew he still had plenty to give in the stretch but having driven Scooterwillrev in the past I knew he wouldn’t throw the towel in at any stage and if Ryley Major could get clear he would sprint home quickly.” said the master reinsman.
“They both came at us hard in the closing stages to make a finish worthy of such a prestigious race, but when you are leading and run home in 56 seconds you are going to win more races than you lose.”
Franco Tristan, recording a mile rate of 2:00.5, had a metre to spare on the line over Scooterwillrev with the charging Ryley Major a half head away third.
“Max and Rohan Hadley have been lifelong friends of our family and they have looked after Franco Tristan and our other winner tonight Castle Retreat during the week, I knew they would leave no stone unturned in their preparation for tonight,” said an appreciative Lang.
“Franco Tristan deserves a break now so I’m going to leave him with Max to enjoy the lush paddocks of the North-East of Tassie before his next campaign.
