Mathew James stretches out stylishly in front at Pukekohe today.
Late developer Mathew James flexes his muscles in Pukekohe workout
By Barry Lichter • 5 January 2019
Mathew James lived up to his surprise package billing yet again when, fresh-up and looking as big as a bull, he led all the way to win a left-handed workout at Pukekohe today.
The effort, his first serious test since a stone bruise stopped him in his tracks in November, was good enough for trainer Ray Green to declare him a starter at Cambridge next Friday.
And judging by the way the horse has continued to improve from the once despised stable slowcoach, you wouldn’t rule out his chance of repeating his debut win on the course.
“He’s come up pretty quickly on a flimsy preparation - he’s had only two or three fast runs - but we’ve also been galloping him,’’ says Green.
Mathew James was still carrying plenty of condition today but it didn’t stop him spearing out of the gate to easily claim the early lead for Zachary Butcher.
And while challenged down the home straight inside and out by the John and Josh Dickie-trained Madame Connoistre and Lagertha, he held on strongly to win by a head in 2:38.7 for the 2050 metres.
The time represented a mile rate of 2:04.6 with a final 800 metres in 59 and 400 in 27.9.
“I didn’t even ask him to go,’’ says Butcher who earlier in the horse’s career couldn’t make him go faster under duress but claims he was the only one who stuck up for the horse.
“He has great gate speed and he’s a good pacer,’’ says Green of the Bettor’s Delight three-year-old who scored a nose win at Cambridge in his only start on November 9.
Mathew James suffered a stone bruise soon after that win and was out for three weeks before it cleaned up.
“He obviously doesn’t need much to get fit and seems to go best when he’s fresh.’’
Recco Lover trials well
Earlier, another last-start winner Recco Lover showed he was also coming to hand quickly after a short break when he finished only three lengths from two of the best pacers in the country, Thefixer and Chase Auckland, in the fast class 2500 metre heat.
Showing great gate speed, Recco Lover sped to the early lead before relenting to Thefixer when Mark Purdon moved round the field.
He was still going strongly in the trail when Chase Auckland moved up parked down the back straight but blew out in the run home, according to Butcher.
“He wouldn’t have beaten them but he would have been much closer. I ran home in 27.5 which wasn’t bad for his first run back.’’
Thefixer, who claimed a head win over Chase Auckland, was clocked to run the trip in 3:15.7, a mile rate of 2:08.9. Their closing sectionals were 58.1 and 26.9.
Recco Lover, who scored an all-the-way upset win in 2:40.2 at Auckland in November, is on target to resume at Alexandra Park on January 18.
Turning for home at Pukekohe today and Recco Lover trails Thefixer with Chase Auckland on his outer.
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.”
