Double Or Nothing throws down the gauntlet to Young Guns rivals

Lincoln Farms will launch a three-pronged assault on Friday night’s first Young Guns heat after Double Or Nothing’s excellent trial at Alexandra Park.

In what driver Zachary Butcher described as a near perfect building block to the first $25,000 two-year-old race, the Sweet Lou gelding led all the way in the 1700 metre heat and, while called first across the line, was actually nosed out by southern colt Mach Da Vinci in a tight three-way finish.

Butcher was sitting quietly on Double Or Nothing, however, and reported he was “doing it easily.’’

Double Or Nothing rolls along in front for Zachary Butcher. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.“I was rapt with him. He was pricking his ears all the way up the straight having a good look at everything - the (clerk’s) white horse, the winning post, the gate … but he took it all in well.

“With a bit more ringcraft he would have beaten them by half a length to a length.’’

Butcher was pleasantly surprised at how sharp Double Or Nothing felt, despite having had a week and a half off while recovering from being gelded.

“Preparation wise I thought he’d be a bit behind those others but he was going every bit as well as them.

“He feels like a really nice rolling type.’’

Butcher said while Double Or Nothing had been inclined to get on one rein at home, he felt perfect as soon as he left the gate in the trial which for the first time featured some serious opposition.

He was pitched against five others, All Stars’ Smooth Deal, Tony Herlihy’s Prince Of Pleasure and Awaitinginstructions and Paul Court’s Mach Da Vinci and Stavros The Terror.

Herlihy, driving Prince Of Pleasure, a Bettor’s Delight colt, matched Double Or Nothing for speed out of the gate but Butcher crossed him on the first bend. And Butcher was delighted when the youngster travelled comfortably afterwards two lengths clear - “he never tightened a rein once.’’

Butcher kept Double Or Nothing a little off the markers throughout, careful to avoid the many shadows on the track, particularly down the back straight.

“I ended up running over one the second time round but he handled it well.’’

Near the finish of the trial and those blue colours of Mark Purdon are lurking ominously right in behind on Smooth Deal.With a gap inside Double Or Nothing turning for home, Herlihy presented Prince Of Pleasure and it became a line of three when Josh Dickie let Mach Da Vinci run 200 metres out.

The trio went over the line locked together to clock 2:07.9, a solid mile rate of 2:01, with closing sectionals of 57.8 and 28.1.

Though only fifth, two lengths astern, Smooth Deal went to the line well held by Mark Purdon.

Butcher will give up the seat behind Double Or Nothing next Friday to dad David, to pilot stablemate Perfect Stride but says there’s not a lot between the pair.

“Perfect Stride might have a bit more speed than this fella but when they start running quick times speed can go out the window.’’

Trainer Ray Green was chuffed with Double Or Nothing’s performance, pacing his fastest time at his first look at the busy Alexandra Park circuit.

“He doesn’t really know what’s going on yet.’’

Green confirmed he would line up three horses in the opening Young Guns heat, the rapidly improving Sir Tiger joining the team while Man Of Action will not be seen in action just yet.

“I’ve turned him out for a couple of weeks. He was getting tired and I don’t want him to get mentally disturbed getting beaten all the time.’’