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Ray’s workout tip: Bettor needs to get a little fitter and then we can chase the Dreamz

His sectionals weren’t sharp and neither was the opposition but Bettor My Dreamz still did enough to show he has a future in Auckland by winning his first workout at Pukekohe on Saturday.

The latest of owner Merv Butterworth’s southern pacers to be entrusted to Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green, the three-year-old was eased back to second last early in the up to rating 71 heat over 2050 metres.

Driver Zachary Butcher moved Bettor My Dreamz up to trail at the 1400 and was then happy to just stroll along in third until easing off the fence into the one-one 500 from home.

It took little urging from Butcher for Bettor My Dreamz to reel in the leader as he sprinted home in 28.2 to beat Le Girl and Imajollywally by half a length.

With the overall time only 2:41.8, a mile rate of 2:07, it didn’t set any red lights flashing but Green said Butcher was happy with the run.

“He feels like a nice horse and he’s obviously been well schooled,’’ said Green.

“We had only basic gear on him and it needs a bit of tweaking. We’ll try him in blinkers next time as he doesn’t concentrate that well.

“He’ll definitely need another workout or two as he needs to be a bit sharper. He hasn’t raced for a while.’’

Bettor My Dreamz resumed from a seven month spell at Invercargill on June 8 but was well underdone even then, according to driver Brent Barclay, after a planned workout was cancelled.

“He’s a lovely horse and when we get him fitter I’m sure he’ll do a good job.’’

Man Of Action … a real tradesman. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Man Of Action … a real tradesman. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Lincoln Farms’ only other runner on a quiet five-heat morning, Man Of Action, also took out his event, a 2050 metres for non winners.

The improving two-year-old trailed Todd MacFarlane’s Royal to the 500 when he eased out to attack, overpowering his rival in the home stretch with closing sectionals of 58 and 27.4.

Royal kicked back to cut the margin to a head but Man Of Action was never put under any pressure to run the trip in 2:39.8, a mile rate of 2:05.4.

“He’s always reliable and tradesman-like,’’ said Green. “I’m sure he’ll win one soon.’’

Man Of Action has not gone a bad race in his three runs this prep, his latest a neck defeat to Ideal Agent on mile night at Auckland when he paced 1:57.9.

“I thought he did really well that night. He was unlucky, inconvenienced at a crucial time.’’

Our runners this week

Friday night at Auckland

What’s Up The Hill.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Tuesday twilight at Manawatu

Race 3: Onyx Shard
5.09pm

“She’s working really well and, from the good draw, hopefully she can run a drum. The field’s not that much harder than the one she beat last time at Manawatu (when parked for the last lap).”

Race 3: Kevin Kline
5.09pm

“We’re very happy with him - he’s come back a better horse. He went well at Auckland last start and is working well. We’ll be looking to go forward from the gate and hopefully get a gun run through behind Onyx Shard. On ability, he’s the better chance of the two.”

Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.39pm

“He stepped like a bullet in his first go from a stand here in March. I thought he’d do the same on the second day but he galloped. We’ve got an overcheck on and hopple shorteners on Tuesday so he should make a good beginning. If he can step and lead, then maybe take a trail, he should be hard to beat. He likes it down there where the track is quite soft.”

Dan Costello Race Photography