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.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
