Phil Cook and his wife Delia, right, welcome Im Not The Maid after her win at Cambridge. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.
Im Not The Maid delivers for Cook and 98-year-old mum-in-law lands $5 each way bet
By Barry Lichter • 21 August 2024
Phil Cook has been racing horses for four decades but has never lost the thrill of winning.
And when Im Not The Maid ($3.50) led all the way to clear maidens it didn’t matter that it was for a low stake on a cold night at Cambridge.
Cook, 77, was there with his wife Delia to enjoy the occasion, the win making him “feel good” despite knowing the owner’s share of the $8000 stake was only $3740, barely enough for a month’s training fees with some left over for a celebration.
And afterwards, over dinner at a restaurant in Cambridge, he shared the joy with his 98-year-old mother-in-law Joan Grice.
Phil Cook with Joan Grice on her 96th birthday in 2022.The remarkable woman, who two years ago was the life of the party at Cambridge Raceway when Cook’s Riverman Sam won, very nearly made it to the track again.
“But she said it was too cold to come out this time so she watched the race on TV.
“She’s got her own TAB account now but Delia put $5 each way on for her and now she wants to know when the filly will be racing again.”
It’s that infectious sense of fun that Cook finds most appealing these days and the reason he has branched out from breeding and racing his own horses to entering one of Lincoln Farms’ special partnerships.
Cook said it was hard not to join up after experiencing the atmosphere at Lincoln Farms’ hospitality room adjoining the Alexandra Park birdcage.
“Having fun is what racing is about and I really enjoy racing with these guys. Some nights there are lots of people in that room and even though they may only have 10% of a horse they get so excited you’d think they own it all.
“John and Lynne Street do a wonderful job getting people into horses and don’t get the recognition they deserve.”
Now with a share in Copy That’s exciting brother Sugar Ray Lincoln, Cook has a lot to look forward to and, while not getting carried away with Im Not The Maid’s win, he is also hoping for some more fun with her.
“I always thought she had potential and I’m glad she showed it last night. Hopefully she’ll go on with it.”
Im Not The Maid has Cupids Arrow well covered at the finish. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Trainer Ray Green said the filly’s winning time of 2:46.7, a pedestrian mile rate of 2:01.9, illustrated the low quality of the field.
“But I suppose all you can do is win and she did show a bit of character after having to burn early.
“She’ll have to improve though as it will be big steps from now on.”
The A Rocknroll Dance filly is the last of the progeny of Cook’s broodmare Bronze Lady, and the fourth winner of the five foals he’s had from her, the best of which was Riverman Sam (seven wins).
Cook bought the mare for “about six or seven thousand” after she had left three foals, two of them ending up prolific winners.
Bronze Over (US$572,566) scored nine wins here and another 39 in the States and Bronze Seeker (A$435,929) won 11 races here and another 17 in Australia.
Cook is now breeding from his best racemare Ideal Alice (20 wins, $434,000) who has just left her fifth foal, by Vincent.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.
