Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Young reinsman Kyle Symington enjoyed a pressure-free trip when he guided the $2.40 favourite Franco Encore to an effortless victory in the $25,000 You’ve Got The Touch With TABtouch Pace for four-year-olds over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
“His speed is his main asset, but we went extremely slow early, and I was happy with that,” said Symington after Franco Encore had coasted to a two-length win over $7 chance Chilli Punter, rating 1.57.2.
Franco Encore was smartest into stride from barrier five and he strolled through the lead time in 38.1sec. before a dawdling opening 400m section of 32.2sec. was followed by quarters of 29.2sec., 27.3sec. and 28.3sec.
Quinton, the $4.80 second fancy, was beaten for early pace and settled down behind Franco Encore before Shannon Suvaljko moved the gelding to the breeze with 900m to travel. However, Quinton did not threaten danger and finished fourth.
Franco Encore, trained by Ryan Bell, has resumed racing after a spell in fine form with two wins and a fourth placing (when he ruined his chances by racing fiercely in the breeze). He is by Captaintreacherous and is out of the unraced Changeover mare Edinburgh Franco.
He has earned $75,581 from six wins and eight placings from 24 starts is likely to be set for the $50,000 Four And Five-Year-Old Championship next Friday week.