Recco Lover shows speed to take the lead in his latest workout at Pukekohe.
Big hitter Rosati buys Recco Lover, ending frustrating hiatus
By Barry Lichter • 16 January 2019
Talented Lincoln Farms pacer Recco Lover has been sold to big spending Australian Emilio Rosati - but don’t expect the horse to win fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night.
The deal ends a frustrating few weeks for Recco Lover’s owners and his trainer Ray Green who were let down by another buyer and had to watch the horse miss out on lucrative Christmas racing.
Green, who already trains the talented two-year-old Perfect Stride for Rosati and his wife Mary, says Recco Lover is to remain in the Pukekohe stable in the meantime but eventually would find his way to Australia.
Emilio RosatiRecco Lover has not raced since beating Parker at Auckland on November 23, his proposed Auckland Cup tilt derailed by the bid to buy him.
He showed some of the ability that night that Green had been touting for the previous 12 months, breaking his rivals’ hearts with a strong all-the-way win in 2:40.2.
The horse wore blinds and removable deafeners, which obviously worked to spark him out of his lazy ways.
But Green isn’t expecting such a command performance on Friday night, against mostly higher rated rivals in the fifth race.
“Even though he trained well on Tuesday morning I think he’ll be short of a run because he had a big break.’’
Recco Lover trialled nicely at Pukekohe 11 days ago, running three lengths third to headline pacers Thefixer and Chase Auckland over 2500 metres.
“He was there until halfway up the home straight but got tired, which wasn’t surprising because they ran home in 26.9.’’
Recco Lover’s sale continues a good string of results for many of his owners. He was raced here by Michael Brereton, Martin Letton, the Bula Bells Syndicate, Denis James, Steve Beckett, Deane Hutchinson, Gerard Collins, Brian & Margaret Rabbitt, Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd and Ian Middleton.
Zealand Star cruises home in his latest win at Cambridge. PHOTO: FokusPhotography.Drawn to start from the unruly spot in the same race is stablemate Zealand Star who is owned by another Australian big hitter in Merv Butterworth.
And Green says the way the horse has improved lately he’d only need to get the right trip to get some of the money.
Zealand Star ran a fine third at Cambridge last week, closing hard, to back up his dominant win on the course.
“If he’d been one spot closer he’d have won for fun. But we know he’s not one you can make an early move on, he needs to get a suck into it late.
“I wouldn’t normally back him up three weeks in a row but he’s come out of the race so well, why not?
“With his rating (70) life’s not easy now but I’d like to think he can pick up another win before he goes to Australia. He’s really come to it now.
“He’s a lovely big horse, a little nervous but genuine enough.’’
More news in Harness
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Lincoln Farms turns Spiritual Bliss into a big winner - and now she’s off to the States
Emotional night at the Park as Sammy Lincoln steps up for John and his sister Maree
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Spirit Of God
5.44pm
“She’s definitely a chance as she has enough speed. The raw ability is there and I’m sure she’s as good as any of them ability wise. You can forget she went round at Auckland last week as she locked wheels 600 out.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“There’s not a lot between her and Spirit Of God. The other filly is probably a bit fitter than Jessie but she worked well today and I think she’ll be very competitive. It depends on what sort of run she gets (from eight).”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.39pm
“I can’t label her as a betting proposition from the draw, and in a tougher field, but you can never discount her as you know she’ll put herself in the race. You saw what she did last week - it doesn’t matter where she draws, she’ll launch.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Marylynes Boy
5.56pm
“Last week’s run was a non-event but he went well on debut. He’d have to be a shot, drawn the inside.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.57pm
“It’s a shame he hasn’t had more economical trips - he’s had some tough runs - and keeps going good races. He should go well again.”
Race 4: Lincoln Wave
6.57pm
“He burned himself out early in the derby. There was no race for him last week but he’s training well and should be right in it. His best races have been on the front end.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.56pm
“She’s got the draw and will lead out but she’s no match for Sammy Lincoln and looks better placed at Cambridge.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.56pm
“I think he’s turned the corner and can go on with the job. He will have gained a lot in confidence from last week’s win. We haven’t really tried him out of the gate but he’s a good horse who is improving all the time.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.56pm
“He pulled too hard when caught back on the markers last week. He’s got the same inside second row draw so we’ve taken the blinds off or he’d over-race again. When he draws a (good) gate we’ll put them back on again. Obviously he’s best on the front end.”
