Coming off the back of a second place finish in the Albury Pacers Cup (2570m) last week, the Lavington conditioner believes Franco Noriega will be improved for the run coming into Saturday’s race.

The seven-year-old has having his first start for Chant last week but bad luck meant the son of Artiscape was forced to miss two runs in the lead up.

Chant believes that was the difference between winning and losing. 

“He was probably a couple of runs short so I was surprised when he run a place,” Chant said.

“He went good though and if he had that extra run I think he would have won.

“He had to make two runs in the race so I was pretty surprised he kept running over the distance.”

Franco Noriega was still in front metres from the finishing line, before being swamped late by The Baggy Green.

The Stephen Maguire-trained mare will again be among his rivals.

The barrier draw is one thing not in Franco Noriega’s favour on Saturday night.

Chant is unsure what to do with the inside of the second row draw, and would have preferred to draw the front where he could utilise his good gate speed.

“It’s pretty hard and I think we will have to go back and come with one run this time,” Chant said.

“We need a bit of luck.

“I was hoping he draw off the fence so he could make his own luck.

“From there you have to drive for a bit of luck.”

The former Kiwi started his Australian racing career in Wagga before being transferred to Darren Binksin at Menangle.

Back on the border, Chant is looking at cups racing in both NSW and Victoria for the C7 pacer.

Chant is looking for David Moran to drive in the race, after the pair combined for one of Moran five winners at Albury on Saturday night.