Fernando Porche Primed For Maiden Finale

WITH even luck, trainer Paul Roach is optimistic that his seven-start maiden Fernando Porche can break through for his first career win at Wenty this Saturday.

WITH even luck, Lidsdale trainer Paul Roach is optimistic that his seven-start maiden Fernando Porche can break through for his first career win in Saturday night's NSW Bred Maiden Final (520m) at Wentworth Park.

And doesn't he deserve it.

An eye-catching two length second behind fastest qualifier Cullinan (30.00) in last week's heats, the stylishly bred Fernando Porche (Fernando Bale x Avondale Porche) has been installed a $4.40 second favourite for Saturday night's $10,000 to-the-winner decider from box three, with Roach optimistic about his charge's chances.

"He trialled down there in 29.99 before the heats and he probably lost a couple of lengths in his heat so he ran right up to his trial, his run was good," said Roach on Thursday.

"I bought him at the Richmond Riches Auction as a pup for $6,000 – I liked the breeding and his runs recently through the Richmond Series were very good – he ran into Feral Franky three weeks' in a row as a maiden but was getting to the line strong."

Showing promise in trials earlier in the year, Roach elected to send Fernando Porche down to Robert Britton to begin his career, having struck up a strong rapport with the leading conditioner, most recently through the deeds of top flight chaser Not Available.

"Robert had three starts with him at Sandown all from wide boxes, he didn't get near the fence in any of his runs down there," reflected Roach.

"You could argue he could have won all three, he was very unlucky but that's racing. Robert found the same thing with him that I did. In slips he'd run you ridiculous times but it wouldn't transfer to trials out of the boxes. When he came back from Rob's the dog looked a million dollars, as did Not Available, there's a Masters race for him on the 29th that we'll head towards."

In what looms as a spirited betting race, Bet365 have installed John Finn's impressive 30.00 heat winner Cullinan as a $3.90 favourite, the daughter of Barcia Bale an absolute monster for a bitch, tipping the scales at a whopping 35 kilos.

Fellow heat winners Chill Easy ($4.50), Hurricane Tears ($5.50) and Naturally Gifted ($7.50) round out the remaining key chances, the trio boasting outstanding bloodlines.

30.43 heat winner Chill Easy, trained by Adam and Andrew Crouch, is a daughter of Fernando Bale and Ready To Riot, making her a half-sister to Million Dollar Chase winner Mystic Riot, as well as a swag of other top-liners.

Impressive 30.21 heat victor Hurricane Tears, prepared by Michael Ivers, is from a repeat mating of Fernando Bale and Tears Siam, the first producing the champ Tornado Tears and his group 1 winning brother Rippin' Sam.

Naturally Gifted, an all-the-way 30.44 heat winner for trainer Ron Lambert, lived right up to her lofty name on debut, the daughter of Dyna Double One out of former crack chaser Viroutette's first litter.

"It's a very strong field but my bloke has the race experience and he's showing that he's pretty sensible in a field," added Roach.

"If he comes out and gets a clear run to the fence he's in with a shot – the dog that beat him Cullinan will be hard to beat though. How about her, 35 kilos! Cliffy Rushworth had a bitch that was 35 kilos but the biggest other than that I've seen is 31-32 kilos."

Saturday night's NSW Bred Maiden Final (520m) is race five on the program, due to go at 8.49pm ESTD.

Saturday night's Wentworth Park form

 

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