Front row draw gives The Bull Pen an edge over stablemate - and he could be the real deal
By Barry Lichter • 24 April 2019
New recruit The Bull Pen just gets the nod over Governor’s Bay at Auckland on Friday night, courtesy of his better draw.
But trainer Ray Green admits it’s hard to line up the the ex-southerner’s form and, until he races, he won’t really know how good he is.
The Bull Pen arrived at Lincoln Farms only 11 days ago, along with five-win trotter Ace Commander, the latest in a line of horses sent north by Australian owner Merv Butterworth.
And while he has not run at a workout or trial up here, Green says The Bull Pen “feels like he could be the real deal.’’
“He’s a plain bay, nice sized, and I think he could do quite well up here but we won’t know until he races.’’
The Bull Pen, by Tintin In America, is relatively lightly raced for a six-year-old and boasts a respectable record of four wins and 10 placings from only 27 starts.
He’s raced only twice since Butterworth bought him last year and performed with real credit each time for trainer Lauren Pearson.
First-up at Winton on March 23 he ran into the ultra exciting U May Cullect and he was best of his rivals, albeit eight lengths away, clocking a mile in 1:53.7.
And last start at Invercargill, just 18 days ago, he won over 2200 metres in a slick 2:41.5 after trailing then moving round to lead 800 metres out.
Governor’s Bay … relying on luck from the second row but racing in great heart.From gate four on Friday, driver David Butcher should give him every chance while Green says it’s hard to know just where Governor’s Bay will end up in the running from two on the second row.
Governor’s Bay, also owned by Butterworth and his wife Meg, ran a huge fifth last start on mile night at Auckland, just two noses from third.
After starting from 12, Butcher pushed forward and was three wide, using petrol on a 28.5 first quarter, until crossing over to lead at the bell.
Given little peace by the parked horse, Parker, he was collared only in the last 100 metres, fighting bravely to the finish in 1:55.9.
That run was only his second for Green and followed a terrific first-up win when he enjoyed a cushy trail and scored in 2:42.8.
In-form stable driver Andre Poutama gets the reins on Friday.
“It’s hard to pick between them but The Bull Pen seems much more tractible than Governor’s Bay who can lock on one rein.”
More news in Harness
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
