Mathew James stretches out stylishly in front at Pukekohe today.
Late developer Mathew James flexes his muscles in Pukekohe workout
By Barry Lichter • 5 January 2019
Mathew James lived up to his surprise package billing yet again when, fresh-up and looking as big as a bull, he led all the way to win a left-handed workout at Pukekohe today.
The effort, his first serious test since a stone bruise stopped him in his tracks in November, was good enough for trainer Ray Green to declare him a starter at Cambridge next Friday.
And judging by the way the horse has continued to improve from the once despised stable slowcoach, you wouldn’t rule out his chance of repeating his debut win on the course.
“He’s come up pretty quickly on a flimsy preparation - he’s had only two or three fast runs - but we’ve also been galloping him,’’ says Green.
Mathew James was still carrying plenty of condition today but it didn’t stop him spearing out of the gate to easily claim the early lead for Zachary Butcher.
And while challenged down the home straight inside and out by the John and Josh Dickie-trained Madame Connoistre and Lagertha, he held on strongly to win by a head in 2:38.7 for the 2050 metres.
The time represented a mile rate of 2:04.6 with a final 800 metres in 59 and 400 in 27.9.
“I didn’t even ask him to go,’’ says Butcher who earlier in the horse’s career couldn’t make him go faster under duress but claims he was the only one who stuck up for the horse.
“He has great gate speed and he’s a good pacer,’’ says Green of the Bettor’s Delight three-year-old who scored a nose win at Cambridge in his only start on November 9.
Mathew James suffered a stone bruise soon after that win and was out for three weeks before it cleaned up.
“He obviously doesn’t need much to get fit and seems to go best when he’s fresh.’’
Recco Lover trials well
Earlier, another last-start winner Recco Lover showed he was also coming to hand quickly after a short break when he finished only three lengths from two of the best pacers in the country, Thefixer and Chase Auckland, in the fast class 2500 metre heat.
Showing great gate speed, Recco Lover sped to the early lead before relenting to Thefixer when Mark Purdon moved round the field.
He was still going strongly in the trail when Chase Auckland moved up parked down the back straight but blew out in the run home, according to Butcher.
“He wouldn’t have beaten them but he would have been much closer. I ran home in 27.5 which wasn’t bad for his first run back.’’
Thefixer, who claimed a head win over Chase Auckland, was clocked to run the trip in 3:15.7, a mile rate of 2:08.9. Their closing sectionals were 58.1 and 26.9.
Recco Lover, who scored an all-the-way upset win in 2:40.2 at Auckland in November, is on target to resume at Alexandra Park on January 18.
Turning for home at Pukekohe today and Recco Lover trails Thefixer with Chase Auckland on his outer.
More news in Harness
Forget the form line, Nemo is in Saturday’s race at Albion Park ‘right up to his ears’
Fine Cambridge double but Ray’s packing Lincoln Cove off to Matamata for scintigraphy
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
