Franco New Deal warrants favouritism, but stablemate Franco Talisman might be the surprise packet in tomorrow's $25,000 Southern Supremacy Stakes Final at Winton.
Franco Talisman ran third at Ascot Park last Friday at his first start for nearly two months, fading in the last bit after leading.
"I got him squared up (in front), but he wouldn't relax," Christchurch trainer-driver John Hay said yesterday.
"He does that when he's fresh but he's improved out of sight since."
Lisa Godsall, a junior driver in Hay's stable, and Christchurch hairdresser Linda Dellaca own Franco New Deal who is chasing his fifth straight win.
Hay will drive Franco New Deal while Ashburton reinsman Ken Barron is booked for Franco Talisman.
Country Ways, beaten for the first time in six starts at Ascot Park last week, is an obvious danger to the Hay runners.
Driver and co-trainer Robin Swain thought Country Ways was slightly disappointing when second at Ascot Park.
- NZPA
Racing: Stablemate danger to favourite
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