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Double Or Nothing and Zachary Butcher know how to find the winner’s circle at Cambridge. PHOTO: Phil Williams.

Back to Cambridge, from a good draw, Double Or Nothing will be hard to run down

Double Or Nothing looks an each way chance at Cambridge on Thursday when he will relish the huge drop in class.

The consistent pacer’s form line might look a little shaky but his last two runs have been in much stronger company at Auckland when he has run very respectable races.

Last Friday night he had to work early to lead before taking a trail being Henry Hu and, while he ran out of puff inside the last 200 metres, he still ran a very fast 2:41 for the 2200 metres, with Henry Hu clocking 2:39.1, a mile rate of 1:56.4.

His effort for fourth before that also had plenty of merit as winner Some Do clocked 1:57.3 for the mile and he was only half a neck, half a head and one and a quarter lengths away fourth after being forced to race three wide with no cover for the last lap when improving from the rear.

On Thursday night he draws three on the front and with his high gate speed, driver Zachary Butcher should easily find the front and dictate terms, while his main opposition will be forced to work from second row alleys.

“He’s got very good gate speed and is definitely an each way chance,” says trainer Ray Green.

Double Or Nothing has yet to finish out of the money in three starts at Cambridge where he has notched a win and two seconds.

His overall record is not to be sneezed at either - he’s raced 19 times for two wins and 11 placings for $40,105 in stakes.

Andre Poutama gives Lindi Lincoln a quiet run at the Pukekohe workouts last Saturday.Andre Poutama gives Lindi Lincoln a quiet run at the Pukekohe workouts last Saturday.Stablemate Lindi Lincoln hasn’t fared so well in the barrier draw in the eighth race and will need some luck from two on the second row.

She is having her first start for a month when she raced way below her best at Cambridge, dropping out of the one-one before the home turn.

Green subsequently discovered she had a virus - “her blood was way out” - treated her and gave her a week in the paddock.

Lindi Lincoln had a quiet workout last Saturday and, while Green says she may benefit from the run on Thursday, “she’s reliable and doesn’t do much wrong.

“She should get an economical run and will go a good race.”

* A full brother to Double Or Nothing, Louie The Punter, is among the 11 two-year-olds which Lincoln Farms is presently placing in partnerships.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Wednesday night at Cambridge

Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm

“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”

Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm

“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”

Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm

“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm

“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”

Dan Costello Race Photography