Im Not The Maid not the worst chance against Tuesday opposition at Cambridge
Im Not The Maid might not have the experience of red hot favourite Papenhuyzen but she’s trialling well enough to run a placing on debut at Cambridge on Tuesday night.
Trainer Ray Green, who prepares the filly for Philadelphia Racing’s Phil Cook, can see why bookies have Papenhuyzen a $1.45 favourite to take the race at Cambridge’s inaugural Tuesday mini-meeting tomorrow.
The Logan Hollis and Shane Robertson-trained filly has run some fine placings in six starts, including two unlucky thirds at Cambridge.
But at $3, he says Im Not The Maid is “certainly not out of it.
“She’s never been one you get excited about but she’s a good, honest little filly who tries hard and does everything right.
“She’s not a big, powerful filly, she’s an average type, but she’s getting stronger all the time and improving bit by bit.
“And based on how she’s trialling, I think she’ll go well.”
Im Not The Maid has had three workouts in her latest prep, her latest seconds both behind in-form horses.
On July 25 she led and trailed at Pukekohe, only outfinished by Desert Dawn, a fresh-up winner for Andre Poutama at Auckland last Friday night.
And last Thursday, in a very slickly-run 2050 metres, she led and was run down only a neck by Bar Louie, who has been very impressive winning his only two starts for Steve and Amanda Telfer.
Handled by Poutama, who takes the reins on Tuesday night, Im Not The Maid and Bar Louie recorded closing sectionals of 56.7 and 27.5 with an overall mile rate of 2:01.6.
“It’s always hard to know with horses having their first start but, based on those runs, I’m presuming she has a chance,” Green said. “She could even win.”
Im Not The Maid has the breeding to be a good winner for Cook, being by A Rocknroll Dance out of his good producer Bronze Lady.
For Cook she has left Riverman Sam (seven wins) and earlier she produced the prolific winners Bronze Over (US$572,566) who scored nine wins here and another 39 in the States and Bronze Seeker (A$435,929) who won 11 here and another 17 in Australia.
Lincoln Farms’ only other runner on Tuesday, Commander Lincoln, steps up in grade on his good third in an amateur race at Auckland last Friday when he powered home for a close third.
Commander Lincoln draws two, this time in a junior drivers’ race, drawn two for Fergus Schumacher.
“He always goes as well as he can but he doesn’t have the speed of some of his rivals.”
More news in Harness
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Lincoln Wave super and Sammy Lincoln super unlucky - two three-year-olds worth following
Long wait over to see why Lincoln Wave and Sammy Lincoln are fancied by Lincoln Farms
Second row draws against Prince Lincoln and Spiritual Bliss but they’re still favourites
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
5.48pm
“Sammy Lincoln has a bit more speed than Lincoln Wave - he’s very fast for a big, rangy horse - but he might be vulnerable on Friday - he could experience difficulty on the corners going right-handed. He won’t be a maiden for long.”
Race 2: Lincoln Wave
5.48pm
“I’d say he’d be the more reliable of our two. He was clearly our best two-year-old before he got injured and we’ve waited a long time for him. He’s a powerful colt and should have a bright future.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.13pm
“The seven draw is a bit awkward but he’s trained on really well since Cambridge and I’m picking he’ll go really well.”
Race 8: Tyson
8.38pm
“He had a week off after his last run at Auckland, but I don’t think he’ll be short of a run. He’ll come back into the fray as tough as ever.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.38pm
“She was incredibly unlucky at Cambridge. The gap opened up for Harrison, he tried to push through, then it closed on him. If she led, she’d be the one to beat. She’s a nice mare and she’s pretty tough, she doesn’t give it up.”

Ray’s comments
Monday at Taupo
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
11.55am
“She’s been held up from awkward draws lately but gets the inside on Monday. She has limited ability but is racing really well and there are no superstars in the field. I think she’ll be fine on the grass as she’s good-gaited and wears no boots. She tries very hard and looks to have a decent show.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
2.17pm
“He’s the consummate tradesman, reliable and honest and deserves a win. He was only beaten by the passing lane runner last time after sitting parked for the last lap. He’s drawn to lead here and if he does that he’ll be hard to beat.”

