Racing: Mangos will chase the money

The Harness Jewels has come eight days early for Cruiser Franco.

That is the attitude trainer-driver Brent Mangos is taking into tonight's $25,000 Breeders Stakes at Alexandra Park with the rejuvenated mare.

The winner of three of her past four starts, Cruiser Franco has returned to her form of last winter, when Mangos thought she was worth aiming at the best mares' races.

She has now ended up in one, the $200,000 4-year-old Jewels at Cambridge tomorrow week, but Mangos says just because that is the big target doesn't mean Cruiser Franco is using tonight's group three race Breeders Stakes as a trial.

"I think she has a chance in the Jewels but a lot of that comes down to the draws and there are obviously some smart mares in there," said Mangos. "So this week's race isn't just about getting ready for the Jewels, it is a race she can win with a good stake so we are out there to win it."

Mangos hopes Cruiser Franco's manners will help her achieve that goal, as she is one of the few proven standing start mares in the field.

"I think she can make up a lot of her handicap pretty quickly and that would be a huge help.

"Particularly if she can get in front of Imagine Me because she looks the one for us to beat."

Mangos is a hard judge of his horses but was thrilled with how Cruiser Franco hit the line after racing parked under similar circumstances at Cambridge last start.

"She is right back to where I want her to be and with some of the mares off the front line this week not that experienced from the stand we get our chance."

Imagine Me is the obvious danger, and while she blew a standing start four starts ago, being one of only two horses off the 30m mark should help her get away safely.

Many Pick6 punters will take just the two back markers in the feature and plenty will also be keen to take another Mangos drive, Devil Dodger, as one of two options in the fifth leg.

The Woodlands Derby placegetter has strengthened as the autumn has progressed and coming out of such a strong crop it is hard to go past him and Hip Hop Anvil as the two to dominate race nine.

"I think he is getting better all the time," says Mangos.

"He feels stronger and I think the second-line draw will actually suit him because he can find his place in the field early and then come home strongly."

Earlier in the night, Mangos will partner debutante Canterbury 2-year-old Malak Uswaad in race four and he thinks he will be hard to beat.

"He has shown a bit at the workouts and while his big aim is the Northern Hemisphere race in a few weeks he is a handy horse."

Meanwhile, Mangos' stable star Better Cover Lover will round out her preparations at Cambridge tomorrow.

Many big-name Jewels contenders are expected to start at the workouts, which will be filmed and shown on Trackside next Wednesday.

"She is doing very well and things are spot on."

The last filly to beat Better Cover Lover, Paradise City, completes her Jewels build-up in the first race tonight.

"I think race fitness is the best fitness for her and we have a good draw so she will be hard to beat," said trainer Barry Ward.

"She is thriving on the hard racing and would be about as good now as when she was winning last month."

NOT CRUISING
* Cruiser Franco is on a winning streak heading to Alexandra Park tonight.
* Trainer Brent Mangos says while the mare is in the Jewels he is out to win tonight, rather than use the race as a trial.
* Mangos will also partner the Jewels-bound Devil Dodger in race nine tonight.
* Top filly Paradise City looks hard to beat in race one.