Apieceoflou just needs a reasonable trip from the second row to be hard to beat at Auckland on Friday night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Apieceoflou can get a piece of it again - Franco Nandor to be driven conservatively
By Barry Lichter • 19 November 2020
Apieceoflou is expected to have a fitness edge on stablemate Franco Nandor when the two clash in the fifth race at Auckland on Friday night.
Apieceoflou is racing consistently, running two fourths since he made the most of his first decent trip at Auckland last month and scored his maiden win.
Two starts back he paced a fast 1:54.7 mile when fourth behind Taipo and last start, while his fourth from the one-one might initially have looked a shade disappointing, he was parked for the first 800 metres on a muddling pace.
“David (Butcher) said it was a stop-start race which didn’t suit him.” Green said. “He needs a steady trip.
“He’s not a bad horse and if he can get a good trip from the second row he should be our best shot as he’s race fit.”
Franco Nandor, on his way to winning his last start, has strengthened with a spell. PHOTO: Megan Leifting/Race Images.Franco Nandor, while a last-start winner, has not raced for more than three months so is likely to be driven a little more conservatively than his usual on-pace style, Green said.
“He’s been coming down well (on times) in training and looks a bit stronger than last time in, he’s put on a lot of weight.”
Franco Nandor has had three workouts in successive weeks, running third, winning, then finishing second last Saturday when he moved up to park 600 metres out, challenged in the run home and was pipped late by Ariella on a 27.5 quarter.
“He couldn’t do the hard trips last time and got a bit tired towards the end but he’s nice and bright and so long as he doesn’t have to do too much he’s a chance.”
Green will run Franco Nandor in a removable hood on Friday revealing the horse was a bit keen last time in blinds.
Stablemate Revitalise is sitting the race out while he recovers from a foot abscess that turned into a quarter crack which required surgery.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
4.52pm
“She did a good job last week at Auckland. Throwing her in the deep end seems to have toughened her up a bit. She’s getting stronger all the time. This is a big drop in class and she’s a chance from a better gate (three).”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.20pm
“If the real Prince turned up he’d absolutely be hard to beat. If he leads, as he should do from two, he’s a different horse.”
Race 3: Major Copy
5.54pm
“Maurice just nursed him around on debut. He was stepping over tyre marks on the track so he didn’t want to launch him into the open too soon. We’ll put a shadow roll on him this time to stop that and I can see him going a lot better from the inside draw.”
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
5.54pm
“I’m not saying she can’t win but it will be hard for Fergie to find a good trip from the draw. She’ll need a lot of luck but she can be right in it if things go her way as she’s training well.”
Race 5: Lincoln Dealer
6.49pm
“He’s been a slow developing horse and you can’t drive him pretty, he won’t let you, as he’s a bit of a hot head. Maurice will launch him and see where he ends up.”
Race 5: Spirit Of God
6.49pm
“She got tired late last time and started hanging a bit (hitting a marker) but I thought she went OK. She did a bit early (from a wide draw) and was still there at the finish so she’s going to win a race. You never know with second line draws but it’s usually a decent impairment.”
Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.40pm
“She never runs a bad race. She has a big motor for a little filly and should be right in the fray.”
Race 7: Angelic Copy
7.40pm
“Maurice said she foundered a bit when they took off, and got three or four lengths behind, but she didn’t lose any more ground after that and held her place. So the run wasn’t as bad as it looked and she’ll be improved.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.14pm
“It was a non-event last time (from a stand) and he’s a good horse who will be vying for the lead from five and deserves to be favourite.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.14pm
“Peter (Ferguson) said he didn’t feel as sharp last week as in the past so I’ve given him a little freshen-up with a light week and he should go better.”
