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
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
