Neptune (Andre Poutama) leads Lincoln River in Saturday’s Pukekohe workout.
Neptune gets his chance with big drop in grade at Cambridge on Thursday night
By Barry Lichter • 21 March 2023
Showy black Neptune might have disappointed trainer Ray Green in his last couple of starts at Auckland but he is set a much easier task at Cambridge on Thursday night.
The Bettor’s Delight three-year-old lands in a rating 47 to 57 race, a big drop in grade from the horses who have beaten him home in two starts since resuming.
First-up, when expected to go well, Neptune paced 2:40 flat in the Alabar Classic, but that was only good enough to run fifth behind Sherlock, Son Of Mac, Sinbad and Jolimont.
And last time, he could run only fourth to runaway winner Who’s Delight, but was really burned early in an unsuccessful crack for the lead, eventually found it 1200 metres out, then trailed, but was left with no finishing punch in another swift 2:41.4 2200 metres.
All those horses contest Friday night’s $135,000 Woodlands Stud Northern Derby, while Neptune ventures south of the Bombay hill for the first time since his debut last June.
Green says Neptune has to rate a good chance in Thursday night’s field, even though his second row draw might inconvenience him a little.
But he cautions that while the colt has shown plenty of speed, he is still not strong enough.
“He’s a big horse, who might have shot up too quickly and, from my perspective, he has been a little bit disappointing. I thought he should have run on a bit better in two or three of his starts.
“But he should be competitive in a field like this.”
Zachary Butcher brings back Commander Lincoln after his debut win at Cambridge. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.Green also lines up Cambridge debutant winner Commander Lincoln in the same race, from three on the gate.
“He doesn’t have as much speed as Neptune but I can’t fault what he’s done so far - one start for one win, and a good win.”
Hopelessly placed early, four back on the markers, driver Zachary Butcher got him out three wide with cover and he mounted a sustained home stretch finish to get up and beat Invisible a head, clocking 2:43.2.
“He’s up a grade this time but should get a nice trip from three,” Green said.
Commander Lincoln, however, could not foot it with Neptune at last Saturday’s workouts at Pukekohe, trailing him home by five lengths.
The only other Lincoln Farms’ runner on Thursday night is Next To Me who has drawn the pole in the fifth race for junior drivers.
And, while Next To Me has won only one of his 12 starts, Green is expecting him to go well from the draw.
Last start at Cambridge, Next To Me covered a lot of extra ground early from the outside of the gate, parking 1700 metres from home, and battling on bravely for a close third to stablemate Lincoln River, who contests Friday night’s derby at Auckland.
“He’ll go well if he races like last time. He trialled really well on Saturday and seems in good shape.”
Handled by race night driver Monika Ranger at Pukekohe, Next To Me trailed and fought strongly to be pipped a half head and neck by Ideal Kingdom and Loutenant.
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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.
