Andre Poutama lets Zealand Star loose at the Pukekohe workouts.
Zealand Star could be the tote-toppler for a memorable New Year’s Eve
By Barry Lichter • 28 December 2018
At first glance Zealand Star would seem to have little chance in the fifth race at Alexandra Park on Monday.
But while his 84848 formline looks the worst in the race, and he starts from a second row draw against some very progressive opposition, he’s a much better prospect than his big odds will suggest.
Zealand Star has not paced a bad race since owner Merv Butterworth sent him north to Lincoln Farms from Lauren Pearson’s Winton stable.
- First-up he became buried on the markers and went to the line hard held with nowhere to go, only 3.7 lengths from the winner Solid Gold.
- At his next start on December 14 he ran fourth, pacing a sizzling 2:40.1 behind Ideal Star.
- And last time he finished eighth over a mile, just 5.2 lengths from winner Bounty Lady, a herculean performance after breaking as the gate left and settling 60 metres from the leaders.
Zealand Star clocked by far the fastest last 800 metres in that race, 55.6, with a red hot 27.6 third quarter.
On Monday the inside second row draw could actually be a godsend for this true-blue sit-sprinter as he follows out gate flier American Empress.
Three starts back, from the same ace draw, Sailesh Abernethy gunned American Empress out to lead a strong field in the Northern Breeders’ Stakes.
A repeat of those tactics could see Zealand Star land a dream trail and allow him to use his good turn of foot up the passing lane.
Trainer Ray Green reports Zealand Star has trained stylishly this week, a likely result of his hocks being injected.
“His hocks had been worrying him and he trained very well this morning and is looking very good.
“It’s all about draws and trips - not many can get a bad trip and excel - and while there are some nice types against him, if he could get a trail he’d be a chance.’’
Zachary Butcher takes the reins on Monday from junior driver Andrew Drake.
More news in Harness
Sammy Lincoln can make amends on Friday after narrow escape - Spiritual Bliss too
Canny Fergie drive gets Lincoln Lover home at Taupo - and it won’t be his last win
Thoughts for Lincoln Farms’ groupie Margaret Rabbitt after Johnny Lincoln braves it out
Lincoln Wave super and Sammy Lincoln super unlucky - two three-year-olds worth following
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
6.18pm
“He was checked and locked wheels into the first turn last week and he had a decent puncture wound in his leg from where they ran into him so you certainly couldn’t condemn him for galloping. He’s a really nice horse, who is going to win races quickly. He hasn’t missed any work, and should be right in it.”
Race 3: Lincoln Wave
6.43pm
“He’s drawn wide again (six) but he’s good enough to get the job done. It’s a bit more of a test for him but there are no cup horses in there and he’s a pretty nice horse. We’ve waited for both him and Sammy Lincoln because of their setbacks at two but it’s been worth it.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
7.11pm
“He was very tough in winning after sitting parked last week. He’s awkwardly drawn again but he tries hard and, with a bit of luck and a good trip, he can get some of it.”
Race 6: Tyson
8.08pm
“Completely forget his run last week when he had no luck in the running. He’s a definite chance.”
Race 6: Spiritual Bliss
8.08pm
“She took no harm from the incident last Friday and has trained on well. I think she’ll go well. If you analyse her run, they went down the back in 27.8 and she did well to finish on for fourth after sitting parked.”
