Lined up across the track near the finish it’s, from the inside, Platinum Stride, Bondi Shake, Captain Nemo and Vincent Van Gone.
A little tinkering and Ray will have his three babies ready for the first Young Guns heat
By Barry Lichter • 4 December 2019
Precocious two-year-olds Bondi Shake, Platinum Stride and Captain Nemo need only “a little bit of tinkering” to be ready for Friday week’s first Young Guns heat, says trainer Ray Green.
The trio took in the busy sights of Alexandra Park for the first time last night in a four-horse workout over 1700 metres before the first race, all behaving well.
And while they were collared in the run home by the Ross Houghton-trained Sportswriter colt Vincent Van Gone, Green was happy with their performances.
Vincent Van Gone edges ahead in front of the big screen at Alexandra Park.“They were only here for a look round the place and I thought they went great - there was no money up tonight and I’m sure they’ll improve immensely with that experience,” Green said.
Captain Nemo showed the most gate speed of the four, shooting to an early lead before handing up to Bondi Shake, with Platinum Stride third in the running and Vincent Van Gone last of the quartet.
There was little between them at the finish, the official result recording Vincent Van Gone and John Dunn winners by a length, with noses between Bondi Shake Platinum Stride and Captain Nemo.
The heat wasn’t run at any great pace, with the overall time of 2:07.6, a mile rate of 2:00.7. The last 800 metres was cut out in 57.9 and 400 in 28.3.
Anthony Butt, driving Platinum Stride for owner Emilio Rosati, reported they only sprinted the last 350 metres.
“He was only getting wound up at the finish and was super strong at the line.
“He put in one step when we sprinted up but other than that his manners were good and he got round the track well.”
Bondi Shake (Andre Poutama) leading with a round to go.Green will be pulling up the hopples on Bondi Shake after Andre Poutama reported he felt like he was going to lose the horse a number of times when he asked him to extend.
“We let his hopples out quite a lot tonight but we’ll be bringing them back in.”
Zachary Butcher said Captain Nemo also needed his hopples tightened a hole or two as he was very green.
“I was rapt with the other gear changes we’d made so we’re on the right track.
“He was beautiful off the gate and I only let him run by himself - if I’d asked him he’d have been off.
“He cruised up like he was going to win easily but when he got there he was like: ‘Oh, what now?’
“He gave me a good feel but he’s not quite ready in the head yet.”
* Captain Nemo and Bondi Shake are among 11 two-year-olds which Lincoln Farms are organising to race in partnerships.
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Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
