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
By Barry Lichter • 3 December 2019
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.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.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
