Im Not The Maid collars Messenger Buoy, obscured, at Cambridge on Thursday night. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.
Cheers Christie! Commentator in full voice for Cambridge diva Im Not The Maid
By Barry Lichter • 16 October 2024
Owners find a myriad of ways to name their horses and South Aucklander Phil Cook came up with a novel one with Im Not The Maid.
Tuesday night’s last-stride Cambridge winner got her moniker after a family fishing trip a few years ago with Cook’s daughter Christie, who keenly follows her progress now from England.
A renowned mezzo-soprano who has sung in some of the world’s most famous opera houses, Cook became miffed at being repeatedly asked to fetch beers for the boys on the boat.
Mezzo-soprano Christie Cook provided the inspiration for naming Im Not The Maid.Her protest of “I’m Not The Maid” stuck in dad’s mind and went on top of the list when it came to naming Bronze Lady’s last foal.
And the way the filly scored her second win from only eight starts, punters will hear the name recited a bit more by northern commentators.
“She’s getting better,” said Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green.
“When she was looking for a run early in the run home, and had to go so wide, I thought she might get up for third.
“But she seems to have a wee bit of speed and really sprinted that last 30 metres.”
Im Not The Maid’s late burst in the hands of Andre Poutama carried her past Messenger Buoy right on the line to claim a head margin and her fifth cheque.
“She’s definitely improving but I’m not sure if she’s good enough to go to Auckland,” Green said.
“It’s just a shame she got penalised five points for winning $4400. If they want these sort of horses to keep coming back it should be only two or three points.
“She’s a handy little mare if placed right and we might have to think about going down to Palmy.”
The first of four meetings at Manawatu next month is on November 4.
Im Not The Maid, by A Rocknroll Dance, clocked a respectable 2:43.5 for the 2200 metres, a mile rate of 1:59.5.
More news in Harness
Leo Lincoln close to a win: Watch how he copped it early last time at Manawatu
Consisent little Lincoln Lou sold to Western Australia to join fellow ex-Kiwis
Kevin Kline caps record day for Casey and loyal Lincoln Farms’ team - and can repeat
It’s bon voyage Frisky as Ray celebrates another rags to riches sale success
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm
“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm
“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm
“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Lover
5.33pm
“He had no chance last start when trapped three wide all the way. That won’t happen this time from the inside draw so that gives him a chance to get some of it.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.33pm
“He’s shown no gate speed so the wide draw doesn’t matter. He’s coming along all right but will need lots of luck against the hot pots.”
Race 5: Debbie Lincoln
6.54pm
“She seems to have overcome her tying-up issue, her bloods are good, and she’s training well again. She could possibly be underdone and the seven draw makes it very hard.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lou
7.20pm
Scratched. Sold to Western Australia.
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: What’s Up The Hill
3.16pm
“He’s a work in progress. He just needs more practice - you don’t learn much at the trials with only two or three horses. If he trots the whole way, he should be in the money.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
4.38pm
“We drove her more quietly last time and she finished very well. She got sucked along and did nothing, finishing with plenty of gas in the tank. Ideally she’ll be driven like that again.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
5.33pm
“He had his legs taken right out from under him on the first turn last time. He’s racing very well and should be in the money again for sure.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
5.33pm
“We’ve scratched him. He has an abscess in a foot and is quite tender on it.”
