Bettor My Dreamz on a real improving curve and worth watching at Auckland on Friday
By Barry Lichter • 3 August 2019
Bettor My Dreamz looked an improver for Lincoln Farms when finishing strongly for second at today’s Pukekohe workouts.
The Bettor’s Delight four-year-old dropped to the rear early from his outside draw, was three back on the outer at the bell, still there on the final turn, and powered home for Zachary Butcher to be beaten a length and a half by The Lone Ranger.
Bettor My Dreamz cost himself some momentum in the run home by getting his head round but trainer Ray Green doesn’t expect to see that when he races at Auckland on Friday night.
“That was left-handed today but he’s not so bad right-handed.
“He’s a nice horse, he’s improved a lot lately and he should go well next week.”
The 2050 metre heat was cut out in 2:37, a mile rate of 2:03.3 with the final 800 metres in 58.4 and 400 in 28.4, with pacemaker Peter Forsberg hanging on for third.
Double Or Nothing … lacked killer punch.Butcher also eased Double Or Nothing to the back of his 2050 metre heat after starting from the outside but he slotted nicely into the one-one a lap out and looked a real threat when pulled out three wide turning in.
But the just turned three-year-old couldn’t get past Tony Herlihy’s Prince Of Pleasure in the run home and was a length adrift at the post, just shading Turbo.
“Zac felt like he should have run past them in the straight but he did his normal thing,” said Green.
The trip was run in 2:39.4, a mile rate of 2:05.1, with closing sectionals of 58.8 and 29.2.
Lincoln Farms’ only other runner The Bull Pen was in a clump of horses behind Check In at the finish of the rating 60 and faster 2500 metre heat.
The finishing picture was confused by the late break of leader Bare Knuckle, now with Brent Mangos after doing his recent racing in Australia with Kerryn Manning.
Driver Andre Poutama was holding on to The Bull Pen near the finish, as he was hanging in, with the galloping Bare Knuckle just inside him, but he was only one and a quarter lengths from the winner, with two heads separating him, Ball Of Art and Mohs Em Down at the line.
The Bull Pen raced fourth in indian file after making a mistake soon after the standing start, but he settled quickly without losing too much ground.
“He went OK,” said Green of the run which took 3:13, a mile rate of 2:04.2. The leaders closed in 58 and 28.
More news in Harness
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Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
