Bettor My Dreamz clears out for an easy win on cup day at Addington. PHOTO: Race Images.
From the blue army to the green army - Merv’s recruits just keep getting better and Bettor
By Barry Lichter • 21 June 2019
Fresh from his win at Auckland with The Empress, owner Merv Butterworth has sent another talented pacer up to Lincoln Farms this week.
The latest recruit Bettor My Dreamz arrived at Ray Green’s Pukekohe stable on Wednesday to replace Kiwi Bloke who was on a plane to Australia the same day.
And in the Bettor’s Delight three-year-old, Butterworth has a pacer who could really make his mark at Auckland in the next few months.
The Empress was Butterworth’s sixth individual winner since he started sending horses north for the better stakes at Auckland. And the big Melbourne owner said he was buoyed last Friday night when hearing the ATC’s interim executive director Rod Croon promise that race stakes would be protected despite the club’s projected $40 million loss on its building project.
In only five starts, Bettor My Dreamz has shown he has the ability to tuck away plenty of those bigger purses.
Bettor My Dreamz looks a good type for Alexandra Park. PHOTO: Race Images.Bought for $25,000 by Mark Purdon at the 2017 Karaka yearling sale, he scored two wins from only four starts at All Stars.
Debuting at Ashburton in October last year, he came from second last to park a lap from home and out-toughed Bettathanfast to score by a neck in a slick 2:57 for the 2400 metres.
Following what Butterworth called a terrible drive at his next start when 11th at Addington, Bettor My Dreamz lined up a $1.50 favourite on cup day and slayed his opposition by three lengths after leading over the last lap.
He didn’t back up well three days later on Show Day, weakening to sixth, Butterworth believing it was simply asking too much of a raw three-year-old.
The youngster was then sent for a long spell in Southland and reappeared for Lauren Pearson only 13 days ago at Invercargill, finishing fourth when his condition gave out - Butterworth says when a planned workout was cancelled, it left Bettor My Dreamz short of fitness.
“I don’t think going right-handed will be a problem for him - knowing the All Stars they would have done lots of work the reverse way round.’’
Bettor My Dreamz certainly has the pedigree to succeed, being from a family of big winners.
He is the third foal of the Dream Away mare All My Dreamz, who is a half sister to (Im) Corzin Terror who won 21 races and ran 30 placings, earning stakes of $513,000.
Further back in the pedigree were the derby winners Sogo and Hitchcock.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
