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
The dream’s alive but Nate tells why he’ll wait for ‘Harry’ before racing Eric again
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.”
