Front row draw gives The Bull Pen an edge over stablemate - and he could be the real deal
By Barry Lichter • 24 April 2019
New recruit The Bull Pen just gets the nod over Governor’s Bay at Auckland on Friday night, courtesy of his better draw.
But trainer Ray Green admits it’s hard to line up the the ex-southerner’s form and, until he races, he won’t really know how good he is.
The Bull Pen arrived at Lincoln Farms only 11 days ago, along with five-win trotter Ace Commander, the latest in a line of horses sent north by Australian owner Merv Butterworth.
And while he has not run at a workout or trial up here, Green says The Bull Pen “feels like he could be the real deal.’’
“He’s a plain bay, nice sized, and I think he could do quite well up here but we won’t know until he races.’’
The Bull Pen, by Tintin In America, is relatively lightly raced for a six-year-old and boasts a respectable record of four wins and 10 placings from only 27 starts.
He’s raced only twice since Butterworth bought him last year and performed with real credit each time for trainer Lauren Pearson.
First-up at Winton on March 23 he ran into the ultra exciting U May Cullect and he was best of his rivals, albeit eight lengths away, clocking a mile in 1:53.7.
And last start at Invercargill, just 18 days ago, he won over 2200 metres in a slick 2:41.5 after trailing then moving round to lead 800 metres out.
Governor’s Bay … relying on luck from the second row but racing in great heart.From gate four on Friday, driver David Butcher should give him every chance while Green says it’s hard to know just where Governor’s Bay will end up in the running from two on the second row.
Governor’s Bay, also owned by Butterworth and his wife Meg, ran a huge fifth last start on mile night at Auckland, just two noses from third.
After starting from 12, Butcher pushed forward and was three wide, using petrol on a 28.5 first quarter, until crossing over to lead at the bell.
Given little peace by the parked horse, Parker, he was collared only in the last 100 metres, fighting bravely to the finish in 1:55.9.
That run was only his second for Green and followed a terrific first-up win when he enjoyed a cushy trail and scored in 2:42.8.
In-form stable driver Andre Poutama gets the reins on Friday.
“It’s hard to pick between them but The Bull Pen seems much more tractible than Governor’s Bay who can lock on one rein.”
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
