It’s been a long wait for American Rocker but she’s finally ready to turn up the volume
By Barry Lichter • 16 May 2023
It’s fair to say trainer Ray Green expected American Rocker to be on the racetrack and winning long before now.
That’s why he snapped up a share himself when Lincoln Farms took in partners on the American Ideal filly.
But 17 months after American Rocker won a workout at first time of asking, she finally lines up at the races - in the fifth event at Cambridge on Thursday night.
It’s a night Green, Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street, their business manager Ian Middleton, the nine-women Excell syndicate, David Turner and Daphne Jones have waited a while for.
American Rocker showed ability right from the get-go. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.And in what Green describes as “not a great field” he believes the filly is very capable of winning.
American Rocker, who is out of the four-race winner Sabellian, cost just $22,500 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Christchurch yearling sale in 2021 but was one of the most precocious of her year and made Green’s top early group when put into training.
“She’s got the ability all right,” Green said. “That’s why I went in on her myself, she looked so good early on.
“But she developed a few problems along the way, and has had a few seasonal problems too.
“She seems to be getting better and better now and is trialling well.”
After three workouts this prep, and nine in all, American Rocker won her 2050 metre qualifying trial at Pukekohe last Friday like an early winner.
Taken straight to the front by driver Andre Poutama, she scored comfortably in 2:38.2, one tenth of a second faster than her talented stablemate Beaudiene Rocknroll clocked later in the day. It represented a mile rate of 2:04.1, with closing sectionals of 58.3 and 27.9.
On Thursday night, from gate three, in a field mostly devoid of form, Poutama could look to adopt the same tactics.
Bettor Cheer scored all the way for Zachary Butcher last week. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.Front-running tactics got Bettor Cheer home last week but the three-year-old will find it much harder in the eighth race, drawn the second row and up in grade.
“Zac (Butcher) gave him the best possible trip last week, as he likes to roll along a bit and take it to them. He just lacks a bit of speed.
“But he steps up in class and from three the second row we won’t be holding our breath.”
Captain Nemo’s four-year-old half brother Toe The Line (race four) proved a surprise packet last week, placing on debut.
“I wasn’t expecting much at all so I was pleasantly surprised,” Green said.
“You couldn’t fault what he did and I hope he goes as well again.”
Toe The Line enjoyed an economical trip three deep and, despite being held up on the home turn, finished fast to be beaten only three-quarters of a length by the heavily punted Denny.
He moves one further out to five on the gate on Thursday night.
More news in Harness
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
