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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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
