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.’’
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No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
