Blue blood Next To Me one to follow after his excellent recovery last time at Cambridge

It’s hard to tip a horse who galloped in his latest workout and finished a long last but don’t let that put you off high-priced colt Next To Me at Cambridge on Thursday night.

If the $200,000 blue-blooded yearling is beaten, it’s more likely to be because of his second row draw in the fourth race, says trainer Ray Green.

“You can’t label a horse from that draw but I wouldn’t worry about his break at the workouts at all. He’s a different horse going left-handed.”

In the Pukekohe workout, which was run right-handed last Friday, Next To Me was hanging when driver Andrew Drake came out of the trail rounding the bend with 400 metres to run and galloped.

Green isn’t expecting a repeat on Thursday and says he’s pleased with the way the horse’s manners have improved lately.

“A lot is expected of him because he was such an expensive colt and up ’til now he hasn’t delivered but I’m happy he’s getting better.

“And that last race at Cambridge was definitely his best so far.”

A neglected sixth favourite in the betting, Next To Me certainly had a red light flashing on his head when commentator Aaron White spotted his concerted late dive after being pole-axed 800 metres from home.

Driver Maurice McKendry had to forcibly restrain Next To Me when a horse galloped in front of him and, despite having to mount his run four, then three wide after that, he never flinched up the straight, closing to five and a half lengths on Zachary Butcher’s smart debuante winner Sharkie’s Girl.

“It was a good run and if he repeats that he’s a good chance.”

The Bettor’s Delight colt has plenty to do if he is to live up to his breeding. Out of Splendid Deal, he is a brother to Group I winners Maxim and Splendour. His second dam Splendid Dreams left the big winners Christen Me, Hands Christian, Dream About Me and Aliante.

Colonel Lincoln … a work in progress but a classy type.Next To Me follows out his fellow $200,000 stablemate Colonel Lincoln, who Green surprisingly says would be his first choice from gate two “if he did everything right.

“But he’s only a two-year-old and is still a work in progress. His lack of experience might cost him.

“The raw ability is there - he’s got a little bit of class - but he’s a very green horse and gets claustrophobic with horses around him.”

That was evident last time at Alexandra Park when Colonel Lincoln galloped into the first turn, ruining his chances.

“We’ll find out on Thursday if he goes better left-handed.”

Green lines up three more hopes on Thursday, a form horse in Argyle (race 6), an improver in Riverman Sam (race 7) and a horse likely headed for a spell in Frankie Major (race 2).

Argyle was untroubled to win by five lengths at Cambridge two weeks ago. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.Argyle, a $210,000 yearling, justified heavy support in his first run at Cambridge two weeks ago, leading all the way from the pole to score a five-length win in a solid 2:43.4.

“Against this lot, I think he’ll be competitive again. It won’t be so easy to lead from six but it’s no good going back.”

Argyle showed nice zip to lead early out of the gate at last Friday’s workouts at Pukekohe and Green says he wasn’t asked to do too much after when third, a neck and three-quarters of a length behind American Lad and Riverman Sam.

“He’s a nice-driving horse who does everything right but just lacks that yard of speed of the good ones.”

Riverman Sam has a tough draw of seven to overcome but Green is expecting him to stake a claim late.

“You can’t fault what he’s done in the last few weeks and I’m expecting him to go well. He’s improving all the time and you have to consider him a chance. With a reasonable trip, he should get home well.”

Frankie Major … last run before a spell. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Green says Frankie Major should enjoy the drop in class on the opposition he’s been racing at Auckland where he had to pace 2:42.8 just to run fifth last time.

“The second row draw won’t hurt him, he’s pretty tractable, and he’s better coming with one sprint.

“He’s trialling well but hasn’t set the world on fire at the races. I might give him a little break after this race.”