Front row draw gives The Bull Pen an edge over stablemate - and he could be the real deal

New recruit The Bull Pen just gets the nod over Governor’s Bay at Auckland on Friday night, courtesy of his better draw.

But trainer Ray Green admits it’s hard to line up the the ex-southerner’s form and, until he races, he won’t really know how good he is.

The Bull Pen arrived at Lincoln Farms only 11 days ago, along with five-win trotter Ace Commander, the latest in a line of horses sent north by Australian owner Merv Butterworth.

And while he has not run at a workout or trial up here, Green says The Bull Pen “feels like he could be the real deal.’’

“He’s a plain bay, nice sized, and I think he could do quite well up here but we won’t know until he races.’’

The Bull Pen, by Tintin In America, is relatively lightly raced for a six-year-old and boasts a respectable record of four wins and 10 placings from only 27 starts.

He’s raced only twice since Butterworth bought him last year and performed with real credit each time for trainer Lauren Pearson.

First-up at Winton on March 23 he ran into the ultra exciting U May Cullect and he was best of his rivals, albeit eight lengths away, clocking a mile in 1:53.7.

And last start at Invercargill, just 18 days ago, he won over 2200 metres in a slick 2:41.5 after trailing then moving round to lead 800 metres out.

Governor’s Bay … relying on luck from the second row but racing in great heart.From gate four on Friday, driver David Butcher should give him every chance while Green says it’s hard to know just where Governor’s Bay will end up in the running from two on the second row.

Governor’s Bay, also owned by Butterworth and his wife Meg, ran a huge fifth last start on mile night at Auckland, just two noses from third.

After starting from 12, Butcher pushed forward and was three wide, using petrol on a 28.5 first quarter, until crossing over to lead at the bell.

Given little peace by the parked horse, Parker, he was collared only in the last 100 metres, fighting bravely to the finish in 1:55.9.

That run was only his second for Green and followed a terrific first-up win when he enjoyed a cushy trail and scored in 2:42.8.

In-form stable driver Andre Poutama gets the reins on Friday.

“It’s hard to pick between them but The Bull Pen seems much more tractible than Governor’s Bay who can lock on one rein.”