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.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“She didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
