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.”
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Ray’s comments
Tuesday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.06pm
“He ran his best race last week, just failing to catch the winner and from two we should see more of the same.”
Race 6: Im Not The Maid
6.57pm
“She had a bit of a duel up front last week and over-raced afterwards, which cost her. I’ll use some plugs (removeable deafeners) this week which should help. She tries hard and has a good draw.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln La Moose
5.38pm
“We couldn’t find anything specific that explained his poor last effort. He’s a nice enough horse but he’s still very green. I wouldn’t condemn him on that last run and he’s trained on well.”
Race 1: Tyson
5.38pm
“He had a bit of a foot issue after his last race and we had to stop and cut a bit of his seedy toe away. He missed a bit of work but he trialled well last week and I expect him to go well.”
Race 9: Frisco Bay
9.31pm
“I was very pleased with his run in the Metro Final last week and, in a much weaker field, he looks the one to beat.”
Race 9: Obadiah Dragon
9.31pm
“He’s going good races and I don’t think there’s a lot between him and Frisco Bay. He can get another cheque.”