Breeding season for Terror To Love
Harness racing star Terror To Love has begun his stud career at Pinelea Farm in Christchurch.
More than 80 mares have been booked to Terror To Love. He has covered three and could end up with 125 mares in his first breeding season.
The three-time New Zealand Cup winner, credited with 31 wins and $2.4 million in earnings, had attracted interest from Australian breeders, Pinelea Farm studmaster Graham Court said.
‘‘He’s getting a really good following throughout the country and Australia.’’
Top Australian horseman Luke McCarthy and Brian Hancock have booked mares to him.
Meanwhile, Robert Dunn’s crack 3-year-old Franco Cristiano will start from No 1 in a Sires’ Stakes heat at Forbury Park on Thursday night.
The Bettor’s Delight gelding has seven rivals, including the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained first starters G I Joe and He Can Fly.
Dunn said Franco Cristiano was capable of sprinting off the barrier with his rivals in the 1700m feature. ‘‘He hasn’t been pushed out of the barrier yet.’’
Franco Cristiano’s three wins from as many starts have been in a C1 1950m at Addington (September 11), a C0 2200m at Gore (August 23) and a 2-year-old C0 at Addington (July 24).
His stablemate, Bettor’s Power, is drawn No 7 in Thursday night’s Sires’ Stakes heat. He pleased Dunn with his third in a C0 1950m at Addington a week ago.
‘‘They ran 55 [seconds] off the front and he was making ground strongly,’’ Dunn said. ‘‘He will get better with time.’’ G I Joe, a half-brother to Fight For Glory, who was recentlycrowned Australian Three-YearOld Pacing Filly of the Year, ran second in a trial and fourth in a workout this month.