Louie The Punter has grown and got stronger during his break. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
If you’re a Punter you’ll want to keep Louie on side fresh-up at Auckland on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 17 November 2021
Louie The Punter hasn’t raced for five months but the way he’s trialling he’ll still be hard to roll at Auckland on Friday night.
Lincoln Farms’ NZ Cup-winning trainer Ray Green takes just the one horse to the Park this week but says “if Louie leads, he’ll be hard to beat.”
Louie The Punter has won both his workouts this preparation, sitting parked for the last lap in the first then leading all the way last time when convincingly beating Friday’s race rival Ultimate Missile.
Louie was particularly impressive that day, sprinting home in 57.8 and 27.7 to score by three and a quarter lengths in a 2:02.5 mile rate for the 2050 metres.
Green says the Sweet Lou gelding has grown a little and got stronger during his break and he’s hoping he can strike form immediately like he did in his last campaign when racking up a second then two wins at Auckland, clocking 2:42.7 and 2:42.9.
“He has a good draw (two) and has the gate speed to take advantage of that. Lack of race fitness might beat him but he certainly has the ability to win.
“I wasn’t overly impressed with Ultimate Missile who only fell in to win on debut.”
Louie The Punter is much better than his form line reads.
In his last three starts he:
- Sat parked throughout when last behind Zarias
- Was pushed back to the rear when second last behind stablemate Captain Nemo and
- Found subsequent Jewels winner BD Joe’s 2:39.2 tempo beyond him after trailling and racing three deep.
“He was running into some tidy horses and getting bad trips so you can forgive those runs,” says Green.
On Friday, Louie The Punter has just six rivals in an even looking line-up.
“He’ll be better for the run but looks a good each way chance.”
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
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.”
