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Pinjarra Cup option for comeback pacer

Franco Ecuador’s stylish return to racing has taken trainer Kim Prentice by surprise, so much so the Pinjarra Cup (2692m) has emerged as a possible target.

The seven-year-old was dominant in winning Friday's Trotsynd #WinnersWin Pace (2130m) at Gloucester Park.

Franco Ecuador bullied his way to the top in a slick 35.6 lead time on Friday night, before he went on to beat State Of Heaven by 9.6m in 1:54.7.

It followed an impressive win in his first start for almost two years at Bunbury earlier this month.

Prentice said he was surprised just how well Franco Ecuador had returned from the injury enforced two-year layoff.

"He looks a million bucks and he performed that way on Friday night," Prentice told TABradio.

"When Mitchell cut the ribbons at the 300 I couldn't believe it.

"Second-up I didn't expect him to do that and do it that east.

"He pulled up a lot better on Friday than what he did at Bunbury."

Franco Ecuador has been nominated for Friday's Gloucester Park meeting, alongside stablemates Soho Dow Jones, Soho Santorini and Hector.

Prentice said he hoped Franco Ecuador could do enough over the next fortnight to force himself into Pinjarra Cup calculations.

"He's a level 10 now, so he's getting up there," he said.

"I've got three horses on that mark as well and they're all nominated for that divided stakes.

"If he can have one more run under his belt, I'm even thinking the Pinjarra Cup because it's the home track here.

"Hector is aimed at the Pinjarra Cup too, so I've got to try and place them where I can."

Prentice is also set to have Lenora Jane line up at Gloucester Park this Friday, following her stylish win on return at the same track last week.

Meanwhile, Float My Boat will be Prentice's lone representative in the two-year-old colts and gelding's Sales Classic heats at Gloucester Park tomorrow night.

Prentice conceded the Rock N Roll World colt would need luck from barrier seven in the first of the three heats.

 


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