By Pat McLeod
Ipswich trainer Grant Franklin is in a win-win situation as he points enigmatic sprinter Get Carter towards possible Group 1 glory in the heats of the Golden Sands (600m) at Albion Park on Wednesday.
Franklin admits his biggest challenge is to keep his chaser interested as the big dollar Golden Greys Summer Carnival races come around.
“He is the type of dog that gets bored easily,” Franklin said of the well-performed chaser.
“We all know he has a big engine, but it is more a case of keeping his mind on the job.
“He had been racing over the 520 metres at Albion Park for a fair few weeks in a row (five), so I gave him a week’s rest and just trialed him at Ipswich over the 520m.
“I then decided to take him back to Albion Park, but for this 600-metre race (the Golden Sands heats). It’s another change for him.
“I obviously will be very happy if he does well in the heat, but will also be happy if he doesn’t make the final because ideally I just wanted to give him one 600-metrem race before the Gold Bullion (heats January 25, final February 1), which is still the main aim of this carnival.
“I have to admit, I am interested to see how he performs this time over the 600 metres. He’s had a few goes in the past and sometimes he looks like he might be after more room over the 520 metres.
“He is in good form at the moment, so we will just see how it goes.”
Get Carter has drawn Box 1 in the fifth of five Golden Sands heats.