Strapping Vinibaka steps it up again winning Pukekohe qualifier
By Barry Lichter • 7 October 2018
Vinibaka continued his dramatic progress for trainer Ray Green, winning his qualifying trial stylishly at Pukekohe yesterday.
Sent to the early lead from five at the gate by driver Andre Poutama, Vinibaka opened up a three length break on the home turn and held off a spirited late challenge by Belle Of Montana to score by a neck, closing in 58.4 and 27.9. His overall time for the mobile 2050 metres was 2:38.
The strapping Christian Cullen four-year-old has taken time but is unbeaten this prep, having won workout heats in the previous two weeks.
Girl ready to go
Lincoln’s Girl showed she was nearing race fitness in her fourth workout, trailing early for Zachary Butcher, before shooting to the lead down the back and holding off eight-race winner Delightful Zen in a tight four-way finish. Winner of two of her four raceday starts, she scored by a neck, home in 57.9 and 27.1.
Mathew improving
Mathew James, a $120,000 yearling buy, showed some much needed improvement when he won the learner’s heat by a comfortable one and three-quarter lengths, Zachary Butcher leading all the way and sprinting clear turning for home. He clocked 60.7 and 27.9 for the closing sectionals with a sedate overall time of 2:43.2 for the 2050 metres.
Hustler not bustled
Spring Cup winner Northview Hustler wasn’t asked for his best in the tight class heat, not pulled off the back of winner Jack’s Legend in the run home. He finished half a head and one and a quarter lengths away in third. He runs in the Holmes DG on Friday night. Stablemate Recco Lover was very slow to find his straps from the standing start and trailed in fourth the entire trip.
Trojan like a Trojan
Trojan Banner ran fourth in his heat, trailing, making an aborted attempt to lead, then fighting on solidly enough. The winner came from Lincoln Farm’s barn, Robert Dunn’s Chevron Supreme huge in scoring, losing a lot of ground when galloping off the arm, before looping the field 700 metres from home and staving off Cambridge visitor Baquero.
Phil close second
Washington VC three-year-old Phil Bromac qualified in his heat, running a neck second to The Batmobile. He was restrained to third early by Zachary Butcher, found the one-one briefly at the 400m before Gambit broke in front of him, and when able to weave a passage, showed a nice turn of foot down the outside to just miss.
More news in Harness
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
