McRae banking on early speed ahead of Cromwell finale
Jonny Turner • January 5th, 2026 7:20 PM
The race’s first few seconds are likely to decide whether Steven McRae goes home with the Shannon Farm Cromwell Cup again.
McRae has been a fixture at the Central Otago summer harness racing circuit in recent seasons and is already enjoying another successful trip south before the final meeting at Cromwell on Tuesday.
Cinderella Franco was as impressive as any maiden winner south of the Waitaki in recent times when she sped to victory at Omakau on Friday.
The filly will be out to make it two from two in what looks like a suitable assignment at Cromwell.
“From what she showed us at home we were hopeful she would go well, but we didn’t think she was past the post,” McRae said.
“She had only had two trials and she is still very green.”
“I said to the owners it will probably take her four or five starts to work it all out.”
“With the run she got at Omakau it wasn’t a surprise she was able to win, but the way she did it we probably weren’t picking that.”
Typical of any experienced trainer, McRae isn’t counting on Cinderella Franco being a certainty at Cromwell despite her odds suggesting she’s just that.
“There are a few wee variables there that she has to overcome.”
“She’s on the grass this time and against horses that have had a lot of racing, just with her greenness she is going to have to take that all in her stride.”
“She’s a fairly unfinished article at this point.”
McRae will be out to add to his good Cromwell Cup record when Amaretto Franco steps out in the meeting’s feature.
A scratchy beginning didn’t help her chances when she ran fifth in the Roxburgh Cup on Sunday.
The trainer is hopeful a few minor adjustments can help the six-year-old get away cleanly on Tuesday.
“She used to get away pretty well but she ran into a couple of false starts and now she can get a bit worked up.”
“We are going to try a couple of things with her to help her get away.”
“I think the wider spaces at Cromwell might help her.”
“Even though she missed away at Roxburgh I thought she should’ve run third but she should be better for it.”
“If she got away with them on Tuesday I’d think she would give them something to think about.”
McRae will also make gear changes with Ma Belle Amie Franco, who disappointed in her debut at Gore after producing handy trials.
“We had a few steering issues at Gore, I wouldn’t imagine she would do that again.”
“She goes handy enough but the draw (8) does look tough for her.”
Gemma Thornley combines with all three of McRae’s runners at Cromwell.
