Dr Green goes to work on mentally fragile Tyson hoping to pen better script for Friday
By Barry Lichter • 24 July 2024
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green doesn’t claim to be a psychologist but he’s resorted to some exposure therapy on Tyson this week.
And Green is hoping it will make all the difference when he lines up the fast but fearful two-year-old in the final race at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
Tyson, who has taken heavy support in all three of his races this month, blew it again at Cambridge last Friday when he showed a strong aversion to the mobile gate.
“He wouldn’t go up to the gate, for some reason he’s terrified of it. Zac (Butcher) had a job getting him within 50 metres of it.”
Despite being several lengths out of position on dispatch after galloping in the score-up, Butcher pressed foward, only to gallop again on the turn out of the straight.
“When the horse saw the mobile on the outside of the track he nearly knocked himself over in fright.”
In order to solve what Green described as a “mental problem”, he exposed Tyson to the mobile gate in training at Pukekohe yesterday, hoping to desensitive him.
“We just schooled him behind the gate for a round so he could go up to it and have a look and we’ll probably do it again on Thursday.
“It’s just a colty thing but ideally we’d like to fix it and help him get over it before Friday.
“He should be one of the favourites in that last race. The raw ability is there and he’ll definitely win races as he has a bit of speed.
“How far he will take us we have yet to find out but I thought he did really well last time given the run he had.”
After galloping out to the rear of the field, Butcher wasted no time in “smoking” round to the leaders, only to find the front wasn’t there for him.
Despite sitting parked for the last lap just when Butcher thought Tyson was going to give up, he picked up again.
“Zac said in the end he was looking for a gap up the home straight, which never came, and he ended up a close fifth.”
Tyson has only five rivals to beat on Friday night, with the early scratching of Carrera Hombre and, from three on the gate, Dr Green is hoping to see some dramatic improvement from his patient.
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Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
