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Front row draw gives The Bull Pen an edge over stablemate - and he could be the real deal

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.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.”

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Thursday night at Cambridge

Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm

“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”

Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm

“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm

“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”

Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm

“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”

Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm

“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”

Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm

“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”

Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm

“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”

Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm

“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”

Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm

“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”

Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm

“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”

Dan Costello Race Photography