Silk Road to Francent

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Some eagle eyed spotting by trainer Mark Jones paid dividends at Ascot Park today.

The Burnham horseman saw the newly minted Silk Road Series for mares in Southland and set Francent (Vincent) on a pathway to today’s $30,000 final.

“Full credit to Mark. He’s so great at placing his horses. He spotted this series and we came down for the heat. We were fortunate to win that, make the final and she’s done the rest,” driver Sam Ottley said after the four year old mare won today’s Diamond Creek Farm/SBSR sponsored feature.

From the outside of the front line Ottley speared Francent forward.

“I just thought she was the best horse in the field and you have to take luck out of it sometimes, but you still have to weigh up and see what they’re doing inside of you. She was wide, but was getting across easy.”

With 1700 metres to run Francent was in front.

“She just does what she has to and doesn’t take anything out of herself which is great. Once she got to the front she dropped the bit and relaxed.”

For the second half of the race more pressure was added.

“With a lap to go I saw the three wide train coming and the parked horse wasn’t going to relent. It was one of those races where there was a lot happening - the way it should in a race like that. Every time one came up beside her she grabbed the bit which is what you want.”

Francent winning the Silk Road Mares Final (Bruce Stewart Photo)

At the end of the mare’s feature, Francent proved her class and won by half a length from the trailing horse Double Quick.

“She actually did it comfortably at the end.”

Today’s win was the West Coast owned mare’s sixth in thirteen starts.

“The more I drive her the more she impresses me. I think today if they’d kept coming she had plenty left. She’s certainly doing everything we’re asking of her.”