Bankstown trainer Martin Herbert has told the owners of Franco Nester to withdraw the horse from the upcoming Inter Dominion series in Christchurch in New Zealand.
The Inter Dominion second round rankings were released earlier this week and Franco Nester had dropped one spot to 26 but would have almost been guaranteed a start in the 36 horse series should the connections have wanted one.
“It’s a $20,000 gamble to fly the horse across to New Zealand for two runs and if you draw poorly in the first round of heats the trip is all but over.” Herbert said.
“He’s not up there with the very best but he is a nice horse and I sold the idea of an Inter Dominion trip to the owners on the back of the series being a once in a lifetime experience but in his current form it is probably best that we stay at home and look at something a bit easier.”
Herbert was disappointed with Franco Nester’s performance on Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Menangle behind Hesa Buzzin in the Summer Cup but pointed out several factors that may have led to his poor effort.
“He finished last beaten 20 metres but Josh Willick (driver) never knocks around a beaten horse so the margin didn’t worry me.”
“Franco Nester had trialled really well in the lead up to the race but it was only over a mile and they really only sprinted home a quarter then he missed some vital beach work and I might have been a bit kind to him as well.”
Franco Nester will now be aimed at something easier in the near future.
“He has been working very well but with his recent efforts below par I have decided to try and find the easiest race for him that I can in the next couple of weeks and hopefully knock over an easy one, give him back some confidence because once they get to his age it is all about maintaining the mind as much as the body.”
