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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Nathan’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm
“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”
