Perfect Stride, outer, is loafing as Star Hunter comes at him late in tonight’s semi-final at Bendigo. PHOTO: Stuart McCormick.
Barrier draw sees Lincoln Farms’ pair firm for Breeders’ Crown Final
By Barry Lichter • 17 August 2019
Lincoln Farms’ Perfect Stride has rocketed into second favouritism for next week’s Breeders’ Crown Two-year-old colts’ final at Melton after drawing the pole.
And Pukekohe stablemate Zeuss Bromac is also high on the bookies’ ladder after landing gate four for trainer-driver Zachary Butcher.
Both horses turned in excellent runs at Bendigo tonight, Perfect Stride leading all the way for Anthony Butt in his semi and Zeuss Bromac clearing a pocket late to run third to Be Happy Mach and Mirragon in the other qualifier.
Perfect Stride’s supporters were on good terms with themselves when he pounced straight onto the lead but they had a few heart flutters late when Star Hunter closed to a head at the post.
Butt, however, told TrotsVision that Perfect Stride was a casual little guy.
“He’s a lovely horse to drive, but the boys did say he can wait for them a bit in front. That’s what he did, he felt good turning for home and then he thought it was all over.
“But he’s learning all the time and I’m sure next week will be a different story.
“He’s been well trained by Ray (Green) and well educated. He’s just like an old horse to drive. He came off the gate fast and just relaxed and dropped the bit.
“He goes as fast as you want him to go. For a two-year-old he’s got beautiful manners and I’m sure next week he won’t be out of it.”
Butcher believes Zeuss Bromac can run in the top three from his front row draw but says Be Happy Mach is still the one to beat despite his horror outside second row draw.
“Be Happy Mach is a super horse but that draw makes our job a bit easier. My guy’s shown he has a little bit of gate speed and this is his Grand Final so I have to put him in a position to win.
“I thought his run was a lot better tonight. He missed a bit of racing before he came over so he’s on the way up.”
Bookies drifted favourite Be Happy Mach to $2.40 after the barrier draw, despite his commanding semi win, which took his record to nine wins from 10 starts.
And fellow Emma Stewart-trained runner Mirragon is out to $8 after also drawing the second row.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Mark Dux’s comments
Wednesday night at Redcliffe
Race 1: Captain Nemo
7.17pm NZ time
“It’s a reasonable field, they’re not push-overs, but they’re all beatable. It will all come down to who gets the right trip. If we have something go our way we could get some of it as there’s not a lot between them and I don’t think he’s far off now. We’ve got a bad draw again and there’s a bit of speed inside us so I’ll tell Angus to just play it by ear.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln La Moose
7.32pm
“He’s a pretty good horse. He was still below his best last time at Cambridge - he needed the race - but went very well for second behind King’s Watch. With his ace draw, he should be right up there for Zac (Butcher). He always looked a bit delicate but he’s got tougher.”
Race 4: Obadiah Dragon
7.32pm
“He’ll go a good race but our others look better here. His last run was below par for him so we took a blood off him and he had a bit of a virus going on. He was at the tail end of it but it was enough to stop him.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.32pm
“Even if he’s half a run short, I don’t think it will matter, he’ll still be too good for this lot. He only had a mild virus which came right with treatment and he’s trained on well since. He feels pretty good and if I was betting man, I’d bet him for sure based on his last run, which was massive.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.32pm
“He’s in a ‘coming of age’ phase. He rushed up beside them last start and wanted to lay all over them and give them a hug. But that’s normal coltish behaviour. He does that in training as well, rushes up and switches off. He has a lot of ability but also a few little behaviour traits that we need to get on top of.”
Race 6: My Copy
8.24pm
“It won’t be easy from four on the second row but he’s very honest and, if opportunity knocks, he’ll be right there. If he gets a trip, he’s always ready to pounce.”
Race 9: Tyson
9.39pm
“He should be one of the favourites. The raw ability is there and he’ll definitely win races as he has a bit of speed. How far he will take us we have yet to find out but I thought he did really well last time given the run he had.”
