‘Welcome to Auckland The Big Lebowski’ cries commentator as the hulk romps home by 11

Last month a rating 48 to 61 sprint at Invercargill, next week the $180,000 Auckland Cup over 3200 metres. That’s the remarkable transition which The Big Lebowski looks like making after his 11-length demolition at Alexandra Park tonight.

In one of the most comprehensive wins seen at Auckland headquarters in years, the hulking pacer completely destroyed his rivals, his 2:38.4 clocking for the mobile 2200 metres more impressive than Kango’s 2:44.2, registered in beating several Auckland Cup favourites from a stand in the Roy Purdon Memorial.

“Welcome to Auckland The Big Lebowski” commentator Aaron White declared as the six-year-old extended his winning margin at every stride of the run home.

The performance left Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green “more than pleasantly surprised”.

“I knew he’d be hard to beat but I didn’t think he’d do a demolition job on them. Based on tonight I’d say he’s a chance of getting some of the money in next week’s cup.”

Green spoke to ecstatic Melbourne owner Merv Butterworth after the race but said he’d yet to quiz him on whether he wants the newcomer to join his champion Copy That behind the tapes for next week’s big feature.

“No doubt we’ll talk about the cup tomorrow. But my feeling is when they’re on their game you’ve got to chase the money.

“It will only be a small field and, while a standing start 3200m is different from a 2200m, even if he ran third, the $16,200 is a better stake than he’d get winning one of these other races.

Ray Green … “I didn’t do anything. I’m just lucky to have him.”Top reinsman Blair Orange, who had never driven The Big Lebowski before, said he seemed to have a good motor, suited to a tough two-miles.

“I’m surprised he hasn’t won more races down south,” said Green of the horse who had scored just five times and never ventured out of Southland.

Rated only R66 before tonight’s win - Copy That is R120 - the Big Lebowski has never been tried past 2400 metres in his 29 starts.

“He’s come from a small stable with Robin Swain on a little track at Gore to a completely different environment and has obviously warmed to our routine.

“When he first arrived three weeks ago he was a bit insecure, a bit of a worrier, but he’s really warmed to his new surroundings. We just put him into our normal routine and he seems to have thrived on it.

“I didn’t do anything. I’m just lucky to have him.”

Green put the horse’s hollow victory partly down to the scorched earth tactics adopted by Nicholas Cage, Supa Dupa Luca and Chimichurri who were the first three in the running but the last three to finish.

“They burned early and cut each others’ throats.”

Orange, on the other hand, took his time at the back of the field before moving round three wide to park at the bell.

Nicholas Cage was on empty at the 600 when Orange and The Big Lebowksi forged to the front and, after running 28.2 down the back straight, he opened up in the run home with a 28.6 to clock an overall mile rate of 1:55.8.

Kango, comparatively, zipped home in 55.9 and 26.8 for a mile rate of 2:00, to beat Self Assured by half a head with a neck to Canterbury visitor Heza Sport.

Self Assured maintained his position at the head of the futures market with Copy That at $2.60 with Akuta, scratched tonight, next on $3.80.

Old Town Road eased to a $5.50 fourth favourite after only battling into fifth.

Though he lost valuable ground by galloping away, he was well enough spotted in the one-one at the bell.

The Big Lebowksi was installed sixth favourite at $18.