Lined up across the track near the finish it’s, from the inside, Platinum Stride, Bondi Shake, Captain Nemo and Vincent Van Gone.
A little tinkering and Ray will have his three babies ready for the first Young Guns heat
By Barry Lichter • 4 December 2019
Precocious two-year-olds Bondi Shake, Platinum Stride and Captain Nemo need only “a little bit of tinkering” to be ready for Friday week’s first Young Guns heat, says trainer Ray Green.
The trio took in the busy sights of Alexandra Park for the first time last night in a four-horse workout over 1700 metres before the first race, all behaving well.
And while they were collared in the run home by the Ross Houghton-trained Sportswriter colt Vincent Van Gone, Green was happy with their performances.
Vincent Van Gone edges ahead in front of the big screen at Alexandra Park.“They were only here for a look round the place and I thought they went great - there was no money up tonight and I’m sure they’ll improve immensely with that experience,” Green said.
Captain Nemo showed the most gate speed of the four, shooting to an early lead before handing up to Bondi Shake, with Platinum Stride third in the running and Vincent Van Gone last of the quartet.
There was little between them at the finish, the official result recording Vincent Van Gone and John Dunn winners by a length, with noses between Bondi Shake Platinum Stride and Captain Nemo.
The heat wasn’t run at any great pace, with the overall time of 2:07.6, a mile rate of 2:00.7. The last 800 metres was cut out in 57.9 and 400 in 28.3.
Anthony Butt, driving Platinum Stride for owner Emilio Rosati, reported they only sprinted the last 350 metres.
“He was only getting wound up at the finish and was super strong at the line.
“He put in one step when we sprinted up but other than that his manners were good and he got round the track well.”
Bondi Shake (Andre Poutama) leading with a round to go.Green will be pulling up the hopples on Bondi Shake after Andre Poutama reported he felt like he was going to lose the horse a number of times when he asked him to extend.
“We let his hopples out quite a lot tonight but we’ll be bringing them back in.”
Zachary Butcher said Captain Nemo also needed his hopples tightened a hole or two as he was very green.
“I was rapt with the other gear changes we’d made so we’re on the right track.
“He was beautiful off the gate and I only let him run by himself - if I’d asked him he’d have been off.
“He cruised up like he was going to win easily but when he got there he was like: ‘Oh, what now?’
“He gave me a good feel but he’s not quite ready in the head yet.”
* Captain Nemo and Bondi Shake are among 11 two-year-olds which Lincoln Farms are organising to race in partnerships.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
