Andrew Harrison

GENERAL FRANCO caused something of a furore on debut. Firstly, because some took exception to his name, ostensibly named after the not-much-loved fascist ruler of Spain. But more probable given his pedigree – by super sire Frankel out of a Kingmambo mare – the name was more pretentious than anything to do with the Spanish dictator.

Secondly, he won smartly on debut, smartly enough for the handicappers to slap him with a rating of 102!

He hasn’t won since! Second horse home that day, Three Two Charlie, went on to win next time out and subsequently the Sophomore Sprint but has not been out since February last year and no longer appears on the NHA data base.

Since debut, it has taken the handicappers nearly two years to drop General Franco’s merit rating to today’s more realistic 84, two points lower than when last he raced after earning an extra two pounds for his runner-up berth behind Spydas Corner.

His last run was his first on the poly and second run after a break. With that experience under his girth, Justin Snaith back in town and Anton Marcus in the irons, he may be worth another chance when he lines up in the seventh at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.

He takes on some quick horses in this 1200m dash and the likes of Mashari, Di Mazzio and Double Espresso will provide a searching test.

Mashari has a light weight and is never far back. His best recent form has been on the synthetic surface and from a good draw he should be right there. Louis Goosen’s soldier Di Mazzio does prefer a furlong shorter and benefitted from a strong pace when narrowly beaten last week. But he does look to be back to his best and he loves the poly. Double Espresso won well last run but although he is never far back, he took a stiff five-point hit in the handicap.

Punters face another tricky card.

The first is best ignored as they are mostly first timers. Of the two that have run, Uncomplicated made marked improvement at his second outing and rates the one to beat while Vegas Gold has been priced by Hollywoodbets as best of the debutantes.

Inherit The Rain is the bookies favourite in the second after two fair recent starts on the Highveld but his only win has been a work riders maiden. There could be better value about Doug Campbell’s runner Vunderbar. He has first-time blinkers and does appear to be better than his current form would suggest. The experiment with blinkers failed with Dandolo and Sean Veale’s arms were a couple of inches longer than at the start. The blinkers come off and he has his third run after a break. He had shown early ability and may be worth one more stab.

Tony Rivalland, who sends out Dandolo, could be in with a quick double as he saddles Cupid’s Song in the third. The gelding has a bit of a tricky draw at 10 but he did show some improvement in blinkers and has made steady recent progress. He looks the one to beat.

Of the others, Master Dancer is battling but is way better than his last effort and the poly is his best surface while Diedi made sudden improvement last run under apprentice Kyle Strydom. A repeat showing can see him into the money again.

Marcus teams up with Gavin van Zyl in the fourth with Shape Of You who was a beaten odds-on chance last run. But she has put in three promising efforts over ground and can make amends. Top Me Up Holly looks a threat after improving nicely second time out from a tricky draw. She has the best of it here and has first time blinkers. However, she returns from a lengthy break and may just need this. Miss Missouri has run her best races over course and distance. She almost certainly needed her last run from a wide draw and can do much better here.

In the fifth, Laurel Lane has made steady improvement and had the worst of the draw last time out. She has pulled a better draw here and should have a big chance in a weak field. Emerald Palace has the worst of the draw and has been a beaten favourite at her last four outings. She is certainly due a change of fortune and must have a strong chance. Kinskey’s Tune is not always reliable but has shown flashes of ability and at best can feature prominently. 

The sixth looks wide open. Karoo Lark has finished runner-up in his last three and is down in class from his last showing. He stays the trip well and should go close again. Justfortheepenny is overdue.  He is never far back and makes strong claims along with Sea Master who was much improved with the blinkers removed last outing. He’s in a tough one here but should still be highly competitive. Jackinapot was a recent maiden winner but has come good in blinkers.

The last is another tricky affair. Chattertons Keeper has not had a good draw in his last three but has been up there in all three. He has a better marble here and if holding form will go close again. Master Of Destiny has been dropping in the ratings and was not far back from a wide draw last run. With a better draw and a light weight, he must have a big chance. Carl Hewitson has a few hidden in the wings and Brazil Nut may be one of them. He has been taking on much stronger of late and has dropped five points in the ratings after his last race and takes on weaker. King’s Crusade looks useful and was an easy winner last run while Goodtime Guy took a hike in the handicap after his maiden win but does look progressive and cannot be ignored.