Apieceoflou and Larry Lincoln looking for expenses before flying to Queensland

Improving pacer Apieceoflou could leave New Zealand on a winning note at Cambridge on Thursday night.

Apieceoflou is booked on a flight to Brisbane next week, along with Larry Lincoln, where they will join the Marburg stable of Al Barnes.

But both pacers will get their chance to earn some travelling expenses on Thursday night, Apieceoflou likely to start a hot favourite in the third race after his eye-catching late burst at the last Cambridge meeting.

Badly held up back in the field on the home turn, the horse was set an impossible task by the time driver David Butcher managed to extricate him.

Nevertheless his finishing burst still carried him to within 1.6 lengths of the winner Romanee, an effort which didn’t surprise Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green.

“If David had got up him sooner he might have still won,” says Green. “David will have a better understanding of him this time and he should go well.”

But while obviously talented, Green says Apieceoflou is still finding his feet.

“I’ve got mixed feelings about sending him to Queensland as he’ll keep improving and he has a big pedigree. He’s out of a half sister to a 1:47 winner.”

From an American family which includes a string of big-race winners, the Sweet Lou colt cost $85,000 as a yearling.

Green isn’t expecting stablemate Captain Nemo, who draws badly in seven, to test Apieceoflou.

“He’s taking time to get set. He’s a big, lazy thing who needs to get stronger and fitter. He’ll need to be driven conservatively. I’d like to see him get a nice trip and have his petrol saved instead of charging for the lead.”

Captain Nemo sat parked for the last 1600 metres at his last start at Auckland and weakened out.

Andre Poutama knows Larry Lincoln well.Larry Lincoln, another by Woodlands Stud stallion Sweet Lou, will have to overcome the outside gate in the sixth race if he is to bow out here with a win.

Green says he has no doubt that the horse could find the early lead given his high speed.

“But I think you’d find he might pay the price at the other end so I’d like to see Andre find a decent trip for him.”

Driver Andre Poutama was aboard Larry Lincoln at the Pukekohe workouts last Friday when he ran seriously fast sectionals to recover for second. The horse was standing the leaders 75 metres after an early gallop, caused by the mobile travelling too slowly.

Louie The Punter has come a long way in the last couple of months.Best of the debutants

Best of the three Lincoln Farms’ debutants on Thursday night should be Louie The Punter in the seventh race.

The Sweet Lou brother to Lincoln Farms’ former consistent pacer Double Or Nothing qualified in fine style at Alexandra Park last Wednesday when he clocked a mile rate of 2:02.8 in leading all the way.

“He qualified really well and is a definite chance,” says Green.

“He’s come a long way, from obscurity and disdain in the last few months and he strikes me as a more genuine horse than Double Or Nothing. He’s certainly stronger at the same stage.”

Louie The Punter has a niggly seven draw but faces a thin-looking field and certainly has the legs on stablemate Brian Christopher, drawn one inside him.

“He’s honest but hasn’t shown anything wonderful yet and will benefit from the experience,” says Green.
“Bettor’s Delights can grow a leg at the races but I wouldn’t be holding my breath.”

Aurora Stride trails Louie The Punter in a recent workout at Pukekohe.Aurora Stride strikes an even poorer looking lot in the second race which could see her start under her true odds.

Green describes Emilio Rosati’s Somebeachsomewhere filly as “a real trier” but says she has a lot to learn.

“She’s another who’s come a long way in the last three months but I don’t expect her to do anything too flash first-up.”

A very nervous filly who has proven to be a bit of a handful, Green says Aurora Stride is starting to come to it now.

“She’ll keep improving and will win a race or two but she’s no Oaks filly and I’ll be happy just to see her get round safely.”

Out of the Dream Away mare Exposay, the filly cost $42,500 as a yearling and has two good West Australian winners in her pedigree VC Manoeuvre and El Jacko.

“Somebeachsomewhere is easily the best stallion the mare has been to as well.”

Aurora Stride qualified nearly two seconds slower than Louie The Punter last week, looked very green on the bends, but showed plenty of ticker to win after being headed.

“She’ll keep trying for you.”