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A powerful all-the-way victory on the weekend has trainer Andrew Campbell convinced he has found the key to unlocking the undoubted potential of enigmatic galloper Francome.

The rugged four-year-old Savabeel gelding has always shown Campbell he has the ability to compete at a good level but had disappointed on several occasions due to his propensity to over-race. A sub-par performance at Ellerslie in March led Campbell to a change in racing tactics and the gelding hasn’t looked back as a new front running style has yielded a promising third at Tauherenikau followed by back-to-back victories.

Driven to the front after a tardy beginning to the last on the card at Te Rapa, Francome bowled along without a care in the world against his rating 75 rivals. Rider Dylan Turner maintained a solid tempo and turned for home with a margin of five lengths on his nearest challenger. Despite tiring in the shadows of the post Francome held out a late charge from Naughty Knuckles to get home by a long head in a tidy 1.36.07 for the 1600 metre contest.

“He’s been a real handful all the way along as he’s a big, arrogant bloke who wants it his way all the time,” explained Campbell.

“We had been riding him back to try to get him to settle but he just wasn’t finishing it off so after he ran near last at Ellerslie we decided to try something different with him.

“In his last couple of runs he’s settled beautifully on the bridle and I guess when you’re out in front you’re out of trouble and he has found the line nicely.”

Campbell was delighted with performance of Turner who had come to the meeting for just the one ride.

“Dylan really likes him but to come all that way for just that one ride showed great commitment,” he said.

“He rated him beautifully and he seems to have really clicked with the horse.”

Campbell will now sit down with part-owner Tommy Heptinstall to discuss where next for the promising gelding.

“I’ll have a talk with Tommy to see where we go next but I’m mindful he won’t really cope with a very heavy track,” he said.

“While the weather remains like it is he could probably have another run or two before we tip him out. The way he’s going leaves me in no doubt he will stretch out to 2000 metres in his next campaign so some of those nice races in the spring look quite attractive if he makes the improvement I expect.”