25 January 2018
GOULBURN PREVIEW | AMANDA RANDO
SHE is on the verge of breaking 750 wins in the sulky so Lauren Tritton is no stranger to driving nice horses.
But the 24-year-old is extremely excited about driving her stable’s relatively new prospect Franco Nelson at Goulburn’s TAB Carnival of Cups this Sunday.
It will be the pocket rocket reinswoman’s second drive on the New Zealand import in race conditions.
Tritton drove the son of Christian Cullen to his first Australian victory in last Sunday week’s Walla Walla Stakes at Goulburn.
The entire steam rolled to the front and rated a slick mile rate of 1:55.6 for the 2240m trip.
“He did it really well,” said Tritton.
“He just feels like he is an absolute motor and I never even pulled the earplugs.
“He pulled up well and is a horse that just knows what his job is.
“He is a very special horse to us and it’s a big privilege to have him.”
Franco Nelson is the $1.95 TAB Fixed Odds favourite to win Sunday’s Group 3 Frank and Edna Day Goulburn Cup (2240m).
He has drawn barrier six with his stablemate Yayas Hot Spot drawn alongside him in barrier seven.
Yayas Hot Spot finished second-placed to My Field Marshall at Menangle last Saturday week and the $15 chance will be driven by Jack Trainor on Sunday.
“Yaya won the race last year so hopefully he can take the title again,” said Tritton who co-trains the pacer with her husband Shane Tritton.
“I was initially a bit disappointed in his run last start but when I watched the race again it was a really good run and he needed it.
“He is ready to fire for this race and if it isn’t Franco Nelson winning, Yaya will be thereabouts.”
Tritton has a number of key drives at Sunday’s feature meeting including on their gelding Real Social in race four (1710m).
Real Social has not raced since winning in 1:51.9 at Melton, Victoria, on October 14.
The son of Real Desire pushed his earnings past $100,000 following that victory and boasts a record of 18 wins and 15 placings in 74 starts.
He has had two recent trials at Menangle, including a trial win on January 16 where he rated 1:54.9.
Real Social is owned by Rob Jones, who also owns the pacers Reaza Grunter, My Alpha Rock and My Rona Gold which all won at Menangle last Saturday week giving Team Tritton a metropolitan treble.