The Bull Pen downs Big On Personality and Ideal Star in his first look at Alexandra Park. PHOTO: Joel Gillan/Race Images
Ray ropes yet another for Merv with The Bull Pen looking the best yet
By Barry Lichter • 26 April 2019
The Bull Pen extended a perfect record for Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green with his first-up win at Alexandra Park tonight.
The Bull Pen became the fifth individual winner Green has trained for Australian owner Merv Butterworth since he sent his first horse to Pukekohe last December.
And the way he dispatched his rivals, clocking a 2:41.7 win, signalled he will be the best so far after Steam Punk (December), Zealand Star (January) and Just Wing It and Governor’s Bay (March).
Ray Green on the phone to owner Merv Butterworth soon after The Bull Pen’s win.“I love this horse,’’ Green said when driver David Butcher brought The Bull Pen back to scale after a copybook, lead-then trail drive.
“I’ve only had him for two weeks but both times I’ve sat behind him he’s given me a powerful feel.
“Some horses go fast and feel like shit and then others are like driving a Mercedes or Maserati, compared with a Morris Minor.
“He ran past Northview Hustler like he was tied to the fence the other day.’’
The training run prompted Green to say The Bull Pen could be “the real deal” when asked how he’d go in the www.lincolnfarms.co.nz preview.
And the Tintin In America gelding didn’t let him down, spearing out from gate four to easily take the lead.
David Butcher brings The Bull Pen back to scale after a copybook drive. PHOTO: Joel Gillan/Race Images.Butcher happily handed up to race favourite Big On Personality when he came calling after 300 metres and when presented with the passing lane in the run home, quickly gathered in the leader to score by one and a quarter lengths. There was three-quarters of a length back to Ideal Star who turned in the run of the race, weaving a passage from last at the 400 metre mark, and whistling home to finish hard on the back of The Bull Pen.
Butcher described the former southerner as a nice horse who’d probably just needed a little time to furnish.
It was the six-year-old’s fifth win from only 28 starts and boosted his earnings by $10,700 to $42,545.
When asked how he handled his first try right-handed, Butcher told Green “he got in a little bit”.
“He got a little bit aggressive a couple of times and touched the cart when he started to pull but not badly.’’
The Bull Pen, who opened at $14 with the TAB bookies, and trimmed up to $9, clocked a mile rate of 1:58.2 for the 2200 metres, home in 57.3 and 28.2.
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What’s Up with the trotter? - Ray ‘guilty’ of being very optimistic for debut on Friday night
Our runners this week
Friday night at Auckland
Kevin Kline, What’s Up The Hill, Sugar Ray Lincoln, Lincoln Lou, Debbie Lincoln, Colonel Lincoln, Frisco Bay.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
6.07pm
“He didn’t go very well in his workout right-handed last Thursday but he was good on Saturday when we trained him left-handed. It’s his first race for three months so he could possibly need it but we’re talking Manawatu opposition.”
Race 7: Onyx Shard
7.01pm
“She’s absolutely a winning chance. She showed that last time when she had to do a fair bit to hold the lead. Fergie is driving her this time and we’re pretty confident she’ll go well. She’s such a well-gaited mare.”
Race 8: Lincoln La Moose
7.25pm
“He dominated them last time from the outside of the gate and, even though he can be in and out, he’ll be hard to beat again. That easier opposition makes a difference when there’s nothing good enough to eye-ball you. “
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
6.50pm
“He was very unlucky on night one. The gap sort of opened up then closed again and I had to take hold. He was still charging to the line and if the gap had come he would have been right there with the winner. If he can step and lead, then slot into the trail, he should be a winning chance.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
7.17pm
“Ferg said she wasn’t on the bit the whole way on Tuesday, was too relaxed. We’ll take the block blinds off this time and put half blinds on and see if that helps. She had to do a bit of work in the run on Tuesday but it doesn’t seem to have knocked her around. The outside draw makes it harder.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
7.39pm
“He looks our best chance of the night. He’s definitely a different horse down here and he obviously likes it in front. Ferg didn’t pull the plugs the other night and that tells you something. He’s doing everything right, I can’t fault him.”
