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
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Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
