Pole goes on Louie LeBeau on Thursday night and that could make him one of Green’s heroes
By Barry Lichter • 17 August 2021
MEETING CANCELLED
A crucial gear change could be all unlucky debutant Louie LeBeau needs to find the winners’ circle at Alexandra Park on Thursday night.
The American Ideal colt went straight into the black book after he ran seventh on August 5, blocked for a run all the way down the home straight and finishing hard on the backs of the placegetters.
When driver Andrew Drake was questioned by stewards afterwards he explained how his attempts to ease Louie LeBeau out of the one-one turning for home were thwarted by the horse getting his head round and locking on one rein.
Louie LeBeau (Andrew Drake) is untested, on the back of runner-up Supa Dupa Luca, unable to clear traffic all the way down the home stretch with Tonite’s Delight (Zachary Butcher) outside him.Once Tonite’s Delight and Zachary Butcher came round Drake, he was hemmed in with nowhere to go and Louie LeBeau went to the line untested just 2.2 lengths from the winner Riverboy Ben, right in behind runner-up Supa Dupa Luca.
Drake, the leading junior at Alexandra Park last season, told stewards trainer Ray Green would be making a gear change for the horse’s next start and, after working well in a boring pole since, Louie LeBeau will race with it on Thursday.
“Andrew thought that if he’d got out, he’d have been the one to beat,” Green said. “I was really happy with his run and he’s trained on well since.
“He wouldn’t have to improve much to win - he just needs the trip and hopefully he’ll get it from four.”
Green describes the two-year-old, named after the diminutive corporal in the ’60s TV show Hogan’s Heroes, as a lovely pacer and says he was pleased with how well he handled his first experience at the races.
“He’s quite a laid back colt. He can get a little hot sometimes but he does most things right and that will hold him in good stead. He’s a definite chance.”
Stablemate Arden’s Horizon will need a little luck from two on the second row in the following race but went well enough when resuming to suggest he can go close again.
Drawn on the outside of the gate in his first race for two months, Arden’s Horizon was taken back by driver David Butcher before sweeping round to park at the bell.
Considering the two-year-old was taking on older horses, he did well to fight on and finish just two necks from the winner Cowgirls N Lace.
“He ran on quite well,” Green said. “He just needed to let go in the last 50 metres but it was a tough run. He’s not a bad horse, but no champion.
“He’ll need a bit of luck but, you never know, he could end up with a good trip. The horse he’s following out (Arden Velocity) is one of the better form horses in the race so he should be in the front half of the field.”
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
