FRANCO TOTEM, TRALEE BROMAC, CONTINUE TO SHINE

Champion former NZ reinsman Dexter Dunn is the USA's leading money-winning driver through January, helped by the deeds of NZ-bred Franco Totem (7g Changeover-Treaty Franco), who won a $37,500 pace at the Meadowlands, New Jersey, last weekend, in 1:51.2 (fifths).

Franco Totem, who placed third in his only two NZ starts for Steve McRae, has been a revelation in New Jersey since joining the Richard “Nifty” Norman stable. He’s now won 21 from 64 lifetime starts for $163,189.

A 1:50.4 grandson of There's A Franco (1:57.7 mile rate, 2000m, 13 wins & $217,588), Franco Totem is from the same family as in-form NSW mare Tralee Bromac (1:50.9), a daughter of  Timpany Franco, by Falcon Seelster-Tangible Franco, by Holmes Hanover-Tango Franco, who died in March last year.

Bromac Lodge bred two mares, Tootsie Bromac (by Live Or Die) and Star Of Timpany (by Sportswriter), from Timpany Franco.

They are both descendants from 1979 NZ Messenger-winning mare and former NZ record-holder Tempest Tiger (1:58.5, seven wins from only 12 starts).

Tralee Bromac (9m Royal Mattjesty-Timpany Franco), has taken her earnings to $207,160 with three wins in her last five Menangle starts including the $24,480 Lexus Of MaCarthur Ladyship Stakes on December 7.

This is also the family of good producer, Tory Franco, the dam of seven to race fo seven winners, including Sir Artsplace (1:55.2, Aust), Luksam (1:55.3, Aust), Belletti (p3, 1:58.7, dam of La Norvic De Milo, p2, 1:58.7), Kashana (p3, 1;58.5), The Cotton Club (p3, 1:57.3, Aust) and Good As Gold (p2, 1:58.9).

She's now the grand-dam of the smart Nigel McGrath-trained mare Samskara (1:53.9, eight wins & $66,503).