Andre Poutama has Apieceoflou really running in his upset win at Alexandra Park. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ray confident the improving Apieceoflou will do a good job for his new owners in Australia
By Barry Lichter • 14 December 2020
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green never made a secret of the fact he liked Apieceoflou as a racehorse.
So it was with mixed feelings that he said goodbye to the horse yesterday.
The Sweet Lou three-year-old has been sold and flew to Australia where Green says he’s sure he’ll do a good job.
“He could develop into a half decent horse, given time. He’s not up to the good ones at this stage but the buyers will get their money back.”
Lincoln Farms’ owner John Street paid $85,000 for the big, rangy colt at the 2019 Christchurch yearling sale, alerted to his good American pedigree.
Out of Wantapieceofme, a half-sister to a 1:47 winner, he boasts a string of big race winners in his family.
While he won only one of his 16 starts here, he seldom enjoyed luck with the barrier draws, regularly posting the best sectional times in his races, roaring home from the back.
In the one race he did win, in October, he started from two on the gate, trailed, and swished up the passing lane for Andre Poutama to easily beat an in-form Luke John by one and a quarter lengths. His time of 2:02.6 for the 1700 metres represented a slick mile rate of 1:56, his 800 and 400 splits of 55.1 and 26.9 right up there.
The worst he finished in four starts since then was fourth, running into useful types like Taipo and Jack Ryan.
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Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”
Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”
Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm
“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm
“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm
“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm
“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”
Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm
“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”
