Mathew James posing after his surprise debut win at Cambridge. PHOTO: FokusPhotography.
Late bloomer Mathew James sold to Western Australia
By Barry Lichter • 1 February 2019
Surprise package Mathew James has been sold and is on his way to Western Australia.
Justin PrenticeMathew James, who raced only twice for Lincoln Farms, is to join up-and-coming trainer Justin Prentice who is based at Boyanup, 200km south of Perth.
Trainer Ray Green says Prentice, 30, who has previously taken over talented Kiwis in Sky Major and Dracarys, will be able to place Mathew James to best effect.
Mathew James, inner, noses out Infatuation to win at Cambridge last November.Green did a great job with the three-year-old who was once looking so slow he would gladly have given him away.
But as with all Bettor’s Delights he improved with age and leaves New Zealand with a record of one win, on debut, and a last-start third, both at Cambridge.
A handsome pacer, with good gate speed and a nice action, Mathew James was an expensive yearling buy at $120,000. He is out of Taylor Kate, a half sister to champion filly Lauraella, and from the family of Black Watch, which has produced a string of winners.
Prentice finished fourth on the Perth training premiership last season, producing 69 winners.
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Nathan’s comments
Wednesday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln Maree
5.11pm
“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now. She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”
Race 3: The Night Fox
6pm
“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him. I’ll tell Craig to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.35pm
“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front. I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie. He’s up a bit in grade but has the right draw to be in it all the way.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.32pm
“He had an easy run last week and he can go a lot faster than that. He should be hard to beat. It won’t matter if he doesn’t find the lead from six, he’ll be just as effective coming from off the pace. He’s a pretty classy horse, classier than most of those against him.”
