Recco Lover … should make use of the inside alley on Friday night at Auckland. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
One bet Ray plumps for Recco Lover, the ace draw his ace in the hole at Auckland
By Barry Lichter • 31 October 2018
If he was forced to back only one of his horses on Friday night, trainer Ray Green knows which one he’d put his money on - Recco Lover.
Green lines up five horses at two venues this week, Recco Lover, Make Way and Trojan Banner at Alexandra Park, and Northview Hustler and Beaudiene Western at Addington.
Recco Lover might look to be badly off in the seventh race at Auckland, a rating 60 horse in a rating 60 to 84 field, but Green says that’s misleading.
“This horse has serious ability - he’d be quite competitive against faster horses - and he’s down in grade now.
“He’s been right up to better horses at the trials and even though he’s not as tractable as On The Cards yet he’d have given him a fright last week if he’d been handier.
“On The Cards had them by the throat a long way from home but Recco got home over the top quite well and all the best sectionals in the race were his.’’
Recco Lover was timed to run the fastest mile rate of 1:58.9, with his last 800 metres in 56.1 and 400 in 27.5.
Green sees Recco Lover’s gate one draw as a real plus on Friday night and hopes driver David Butcher will be able to take advantage of it.
“I wouldn’t mind even if he led, being in front is an advantage in a big field.’’
Make Way in winning form at Alexandra Park. PHOTO: Race Images.Easier opposition
Make Way meets easier opposition than the Sires’ Stakes heat he contested last week but will have to overcome the extreme outside gate in the fourth race.
Green doesn’t see that as an insurmountable task, given the horse’s ability, and doubts driver Zachary Butcher will try to wrest control form the gun.
“But he sat parked most of the way in the Sires’ Stakes heat and even if he had to do that again he’d be right there.
“He’s a nice, relaxed horse who keeps running and the extra distance on Friday will suit him better - it was only a mile last week.’’
Green isn’t quite sure yet what to make of driver Andre Poutama’s report last week that the horse felt strong and like a winner turning for home but seemed to drop the bit late.
“He’s still a green horse but if he was to do that again we might try pull-down blinds, that might inspire him.’’
Make Way also won time honours last week, pacing his last mile in 1:56.6 and 800 metres in 55.3.
Rival and stablemate Trojan Banner hasn’t been served well in the draw either, on the inside of the second line, from where Green says he is at the mercy of fresh runner Ideal Star in front of him.
“But if he was to get a handy trip, he’s always a chance. So far he’s been roaring home from the back.
‘He’s getting closer to a win and I’d like to think he’ll be a bit better on Friday.’’
Northview Hustler beats Star Galleria in the Spring Cup. PHOTO: Race Images.Tough assignments at Addington
Green is under no illusions over the task facing Northview Hustler in the eighth race at Addington where he meets, among others, cup favourites Ultimate Machete and Dream About Me.
But drawn one on 10 metres, Green says Northview Hustler could easily work into a striking position.
“He’s in a tough field, which is good, because he needs a good hitout before the cup, but if things go his way he could get some of it.
“He was quite dehydrated at Ashburton. The vet said he still wasn’t right until this week, when he was treated again, but he’s thriving now.
“He’s not a brilliant horse but he can be quite dangerous with the right run. He’s beaten some serious horses in the last year just through being johnny-on-the-spot.’’
Beaudiene Western, similarly, faces a tough field in his final race before the $170,000 Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington on cup day.
Drawn the second row in race five, he comes up against six of the Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen battalion, including favourite Jesse Duke.
Green says Beaudiene Western has been eating well and seems bouncy enough since his race at Ashburton and needs only a nice conditioning run on Friday night.
“He won’t be sent on any search and destroy mission this time. He’s not under any pressure to get into the final, those others are, and I’d like to see him just get a suck along and get home well.
“He’ll need to get a good trip anyway to get any of this.’’
More news in Harness
The dream’s alive but Nate tells why he’ll wait for ‘Harry’ before racing Eric again
Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
