Everything’s just Perfect, says Ray, after super training session for Breeders’ Crown Final
By Barry Lichter • 21 August 2019
A “super” training run this morning has given trainer Ray Green plenty of confidence that Perfect Stride will be competitive in Saturday night’s A$300,000 Breeders’ Crown Two-year-old Final at Melton.
Driven by host trainer Craig Demmler, Perfect Stride worked over a mile and Green loved the way he ran to the line, happy that he is now perfectly primed for the 2240 metre final.
“Craig thought it was very good work and said he felt like he’d improved with last Saturday’s run,” says Green.
“I’m confident he’ll go well. I couldn’t say I’m overly confident he’ll beat them but all things being fair and equal I think he’ll be right there. He’s certainly ready to go. He looks well.”
Green says only time will tell whether the colt is up to beating Emma Stewart’s powerful team, especially hot favourite Be Happy Mach, drawn on the outside of the second row. But he knows from previous experience just how lucky he was to get the pole position with Perfect Stride.
Two years ago Green lined up the inexperienced King Of Swing in the Breeders’ Crown Final, drew the ace, and led all the way, downing Emma Stewart’s Poster Boy who had to make a big looping run round the field from his second row draw.
Not that Green wants Perfect Stride to lead - his semifinal win last week underlined just how much the colt loafed in front when he was nearly caught on the post.
“Anthony (Butt) will be able to adjust how he drives him. I don’t need to tell him anything - he knows what to do - but I imagine it will just be a question of handing up to the right one.
“I don’t know what will happen in the first 150 metres but plenty will want to lead. That lot are all on-pace runners and they’ll be round pretty quickly. I can’t see them sitting back and coming late.”
In Perfect Stride, Green doesn’t have the big, powerful colt that was King Of Swing.
“He was a much stronger individual but he lacked the speed of this fella. He can really sprint quickly if he gets cover.”
Zeuss Bromac … big mover from $10 to $4 second favourite.One horse whom he could trail is Zeuss Bromac, who has been the big mover in the market, in from $10 to $4 second favourite, after his late closing third in the semis and drawing gate four.
Green has seen more of Zeuss Bromac than most, given he is trained out of Lincoln Farms’ Pukekohe stable by its No. 1 driver Zachary Butcher, but he is reluctant to make a call on who’s the better horse.
“I wouldn’t single one out, I don’t think there’s much between them to be honest.
“Stride is more professional now, more tractable. There’s nothing wrong with the other guy either other than he lacks a bit of experience.
“It’s just great to get them both here, and trucking.
“All is looking good for them - their draws, their condition. I’m very happy with mine, he’s on top of his game and is really feeling good.”
Perfect Stride races at 11pm NZ time at Melton on Saturday night.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
