Racing: Change of heart for Franco Nelson

Franco Nelson. Picture / Peter Meecham

Franco Nelson's Auckland Cup campaign may have been one of the shortest in history.

Just a day after his connections confirmed they were aiming the NZ Cup runner up at the Alexandra Park classic on December 31, they have changed their minds.

A luckless fifth in last Friday's Inter Dominion Final in Perth, Franco Nelson will now remain there for the next five weeks at least.

"We were dead set coming home for the Auckland Cup but a few little things changed and Perth now looks the better option," said unofficial trainer John Dunn. "So he will stay there, maybe race in a A$60,000 race in two weeks and then the Fremantle and West Australian Cups in January.

"He will stay with Greg and Skye Bond but there is a chance Dexter [Dunn, brother] may go across to drive him in the big ones."

Dunn said it was still his intention to campaign Franco Nelson in the Victoria and Hunter Cups in late January, early February.

The news of Franco Nelson's no-show came the same day defending Auckland Cup champion Have Faith In Me was officially pulled out of the race, although that had little impact on the market as it had been clearly signposted. Many of the Cup contenders clash in the Franklin Cup tomorrow night, with Titan Banner opening a $2.20 favourite with the TAB yesterday even off a 20m handicap.

Marcoola was a stunningly short $1.35 to win the Lyell Creek Trot while Dream About Me is unbackable at $1.08 for the group one Queen Of Hearts.

Ultimate Machete is the $1.40 elect for the Alabar Classic but the one feature race the bookies can't split tomorrow night is the Peter Breckon Memorial, in which Spanish Armada and Delightful Memphis dominate the betting.