Little Themightyserina in full flight turning for home at Pukekohe last Saturday.
Themightyserina has some mighty big shoes to fill but she can ace her Cambridge debut
By Barry Lichter • 2 December 2020
She’s only knee high to a grasshopper but Themightyserina strikes a winnable race for her debut at Cambridge on Thursday night, trainer Ray Green liking the fact there are no champions against her.
The only champion actually appears in the pedigree of the American Ideal filly, whose dam Themightykendall is a full sister to one of Australasia’s best pacers of the last few decades, Themightyquinn.
Themightykendall was the very next foal breeder Dave Kennedy got out of Love Sign after Themightyquinn who won 58 races and more than A$4.5 million.
And while she doesn’t have the physique to achieve those heights, little Serina has shown enough ability to win a few races for Lincoln Farms, and its partners Shannon Flay and Amy and Lance Myocevich.
Green didn’t even attempt to race her at two, her diminutive size and lack of strength against her.
“But she’s trialling well this time in and doing everything right so she has to be a chance in that field. From the draw (three) she should get a handy trip.”
Green primed Themightyserina for her debut with a good workout win at Pukekohe last Saturday when, after taking the lead mid-heat, she staved off a late run by fellow American Ideal filly Waitforever, who will have supporters when she debuts for Arna Donnelly at Auckland on Friday night.
While driver David Butcher reported she hadn’t shown quite as much speed as Green suspected she might have, Themightyserina was nevertheless tradesmanlike, finding the line under her own steam with a closing quarter in 28.
The foal after Themightykendall, Themightynadal, also by Washington VC, was bought by Themightyquinn’s trainer Gary Hall and won seven races in Perth.
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Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Cambridge
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
5.55pm
“The race never panned out for him on debut, he got too far back from a second row draw, but we’ve got the gun draw and gun driver (Zachary Butcher) on this time. He can run off the gate a bit so I don’t see why he can’t lead. I’d like to think he’s a chance to get some money. He’s been trialling and working well.”
Ray’s tips
Thursday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.41pm
“He missed four or five days work with an abscess in his foot when he came back from Manawatu so he could be a bit short.”
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.41pm
“She doesn’t handle the bends so well the Auckland way and is just going round to lose points. She’s been crucified by the handicapping system.”
Race 2: What’s Up The Hill
6.06pm
“He’s not the finished article yet but he’s slowly getting the hang of it. There are nicer horses in the race than the ones he raced against at Manawatu so I’Il be happy if he can just do everything right and run a slot.”
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.31pm
“She won from a wide draw last time at Manawatu but this is a slightly harder field. She keeps drawing badly and the outside gate might inconvenience her again.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.22pm
“He got pushed out down the back last time because he couldn’t keep up. We had big aspirations for him but it looks like he isn’t as good as we thought. Nothing can beat Marketplace.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
7.54pm
“I’m sure she’s up to them when she’s right but she’s had her setbacks recently. First she tied up and then she kicked out at something and bruised a foot. She’s right now but that will render her not 100% fit.”
Race 9: Lincoln La Moose
9.36pm
“He went good races at Palmy but he pulled far too hard here last time. It was a better run than it looks on paper though as he couldn’t get a run at them in the straight. He’s probably on his mark now and will need a bit of luck.”
