Menu

Bob Best with Double Or Nothing when he was racing from Lincoln Farms’ Pukekohe stable.

So long Louie, we’ll miss you, but we know you’ll do a good job in the States

Double Or Nothing has been sold and will not race at Albion Park on Saturday night.

But the horse could be seen in Queensland for a few more starts with local trainer Alan Grimsey before flying out to the United States in April.

Lincoln Farms’ trainer Al Barnes completed the deal today, one which brings to a close a fairly profitable innings for his owners John and Lynne Street, Rod and Sue Fleming, Neville McAlister and Auckland veteran Bob Best.

A favourite of Best, ‘Louie’ won only three of his 27 races but along with 10 seconds, five thirds and six fourths earned A$49,458 in stakes.

The rangy Sweet Lou gelding, who clocked a mile rate of 1:53.4 for 1660 metres when pipped a neck earlier this month, is expected to do well in the States with his high gate speed and front-running style.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Wednesday at Cambridge

Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
1.10pm

“You can’t fault what she’s done up here and she’s trained on really well since Manawatu. She seems to have a good motor and can carry her speed a long way. It’s a bit of a step-up on Wednesday, and she’s drawn out a bit, but she should be right in the fray.”

Race 4: Lincoln Lover
1.45pm

“It’s a huge drop in class for him on what he’s been racing. The Purdon horse Crippa Max looks the one to beat on his trial but I’m picking we’ll finish in the first three at worst. He’s very honest and does nothing wrong.”

Race 6: Lincoln Downs
2.55pm

“She got skittled early last time when one galloped in front of her, and that didn’t help. It would be nice to see her get a good trip, with no incidents, and see what she can do. She’s no superstar but she tries hard.”

Race 9: Leo Lincoln
4.31pm

“It’s his first race for more than four months and I’m picking he’ll need the run. It was a toss-up whether we went to the trials, but he’d probably have had no opposition, so it made sense to drop him in here. He’s training well and seems in good shape but whatever he does, he’ll improve on.”

Dan Costello Race Photography