Sweet Lou three-year-old Double Or Nothing meets much easier opposition at Cambridge on Thursday night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Big drop in class for bridesmaid Double Or Nothing at Cambridge on Thursday night
By Barry Lichter • 3 September 2019
Trainer Ray Green calls him the best maiden in New Zealand and he’s pretty confident Double Or Nothing can break his duck at Cambridge on Thursday night.
Placed in seven of his 10 starts at Alexandra Park, earning $19,460 in some of the best two-year-old company, Double Or Nothing meets a moderate bunch of maidens in the fifth race.
And, judging by the way he felt in training this morning Green believes the Sweet Lou gelding is ready to show his true worth.
“He trained really well today and felt a lot stronger to me.
“People are saying he’s not genuine, and they could be right, but I’m not convinced. I think because he has so much ability we’ve expected too much of him.
“But he’s just been a big weakling and has needed a bit of time to furnish into his frame. Hopefully now he’s matured into a much stronger individual. That’s the theory anyway, we’ll see what transpires from here on in but I’ll be very surprised if he doesn’t go close.
Trackside’s Craig ‘The Whale’ Thompson interviews Double Or Nothing’s trainer Ray Green.“He should kill them really. He’s a classy horse and is light years ahead of those on ability - it’s a huge drop in class for him.”
In his last start at Auckland on August 9, Double Or Nothing led from gate five soon after the start and still looked to be travelling well when challenged early in the run home by red hot favourite Henry Hu.
But, while he lost second only in the last few strides to Mumsie’s Lad, Green thought he still should have run on better so he had the horse scoped immediately afterwards.
“I thought he was better than that and wondered if maybe he had bled. I just wanted to eliminate all possibilities. But all that they found was a little mucous in his throat so he’s probably had a dose of a virus at some stage - it’s been going round the whole area.”
On his work this week Green believes the three-year-old is now over that and he doesn’t believe the second row draw will disadvantage him too much.
“That won’t worry him at all. He’s a nice driving horse who can go forward or back, it won’t matter to him.”
In his two previous starts Double Or Nothing ran good seconds, chasing home talented types in Mighty Looee and Copy That.
Double Or Nothing is raced by Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street in partnership with long time gallops ally Neville McAlister, Rod and Sue Fleming and Bob Best.
More news in Harness
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
