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
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Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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’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.”
