Zealand Star just needs a little luck from the outside of the gate on Friday night.
Undercheck should help the real Zealand Star front up at Cambridge
By Barry Lichter • 2 January 2019
A key gear change and a big drop in class point to Zealand Star turning his form around at Cambridge on Friday night.
Zealand Star disgraced himself at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve when expected to go a big race, breaking for the second start on end just before the mobile release.
The horse lost his chance to trail the pacemaking winner American Empress when he started pulling in the score-up for Zachary Butcher, and his head got higher and higher, unbalancing him and sending him into a gallop.
Trainer Ray Green will fit an undercheck on Friday to prevent a repeat.
“He apparently had the same problem in the South Island but hopefully the undercheck will sort that out.’’
Zealand Star’s formline in race six might look a bit sick on paper but he has been going excellent races in much stronger company at Auckland and drops to an extremely winnable rating 54 to 63 event this week.
Butcher will have to find a winning route from the outside of the gate this time, however, after he was placed on the unruly list by the stewards. But he only has to find a smother and get a little luck at the right time to be right in the fight.
Phil Bromac’s inexperience will be against him but he does have a bit of speed.Cautious on debut
Green says he’s not expecting too much from race one debutant Phil Bromac from his second line draw.
“He’s very green and will probably need the experience but he does have some speed and if he got the right trip he could still get the money.’’
Phil Bromac will start from two on the second row, following out the perennial placegetter Mr Incredible, the choice of drive by Lincoln Farms’ No.1 reinsman Zachary Butcher.
The three-year-old goes into the race well schooled with seven workouts and two trials, having shown a sprinkling of speed along with his greenness.
In his latest appearance at Pukekohe last Saturday he ran a faultless third behind Kolovos, a debut winner for Jeremy Young at Auckland in July.
And Phil Bromac did a lot more work than Kolovos in the running, pulling out from fifth at the 700 metre mark to sit parked, while Kolovos enjoyed the sweet trail behind leader Cheddar’s Princess throughout.
Phil Bromac did well for his placing given the closing sectionals were 58.6 and a slick 26.9.
By Washington VC, Phil Bromac is out of the Falcon Seelster mare Amaretto Bromac who did not win in five starts but his great grand dam Ar Miss left the champion racemare Armalight.
More news in Harness
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Lincoln Lou just caught and shares win but Ray says he can do better with some tinkering
Ray rues Colonel Lincoln mismatch, leaving Lou best of the night at Auckland on Friday
Nate’s trip south to Palmy well worth it as Lincoln La Moose makes it two for the stable
Our runners this week
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Leo Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Lincoln La Moose.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Whats Up The Hill
6.38pm
“He keeps improving every time we put him out there and even though it will all be quite new to him - it’s his first time off the place at a new venue with a bit more urgency - he’s a pretty laid back individual. So long as he gets round OK and it’s a good experience for him that’s the main priority. But he’s done nothing wrong so far and should be right in it. He’s a lovely animal with the pedigree to back him up.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.38pm
“Duchess Megxit is a serious horse who’s already won more than $500,000 and you’d look silly tipping against her. Frisky is up in grade and will need to get the right trip and a bit of luck to get any of it.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
8.05pm
“He tries hard. He’s a typical Bettor’s Delight who saves his best for the big dance. I’d like to think he’s going to keep getting better.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
8.05pm
“He’s pretty tractable so I don’t think the wide draw will make much difference. It’s only a small field so he won’t be far off them in the running. Rahm has to be a danger but my two colts have a little edge in experience on him.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
9.03pm
“Maurice was pretty happy with her last run and, if nothing goes wrong in the running, from the inside draw, she could be the one to beat.”
Race 8: Angelic Copy
9.03pm
“She’s a very nice, tractable filly who keeps getting better. She does nothing wrong and I expect her to go another good race. There’s nothing between her and Lincoln Linda.”
