Lights, camera, action … Steam Punk is ready to bang heads on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 24 November 2018
Trainer Ray Green has new recruit Steam Punk all dressed up and ready to take the stage judging by his smart workout at Pukekohe yesterday.
The McArdle three-year-old, who was sent north to Lincoln Farms by Australian owner Merv Butterworth a couple of weeks ago, had his second spin round Pukekohe, driver Zachary Butcher opening the pipes a little more.
Asked to go forward off the gate in the 2050 metre workout, Steam Punk had no trouble taking the lead and he kept up a good clip throughout.
The gelding was hotly challenged up the home straight by the Tony Herlihy-trained filly Golden Quest and the pair went to the line locked together, commentator Cameron Shaw unable to split them.
Golden Quest got the nod and the pair were credited with a time of 2:39.6, a mile rate of 2:05.2, with closing sectionals of 59 and 27.7.
“He could have gone faster than that if Zac had wanted him to because he said he was just sitting on him at the finish,’’ says Green.
“Zac said he was perfect, he drove beautifully.
“He’s got it all, he’s a really nice little animal who does everything terrifically. It just remains to be seen how big the engine room is now.’’
Green will nominate Steam Punk for the Auckland meeting on Friday night and, without knowing the opposition and draw, expects he will be hard to beat.
Merv Butterworth with trainer-driver Kerryn Manning and New Zealand and Hunter Cup winner Arden Rooney.Green took delivery yesterday of a second package from Butterworth, one of Australia’s biggest owners, in the form of the five-year-old mare Zealand Star.
Winner of three of her 20 starts, the Washington VC mare is on an awkward mark and Butterworth told Green there were precious few opportunities for her down south.
Zealand Star won three races when in the care of Brett Gray and, last time from Lauren Pearson’s quarters, she ran an improver’s fourth to Run Boy Run at Wyndham, coming from last and widest on the home turn.
“She’s a lovely big, black horse,’’ says Green. “We’ll know more about her by the end of the week but she looks a really nice type.
“Brent Barclay, who’s driven her, says she shouldn’t have any trouble going right-handed. But we’ll trial her that way first before we go to the races just to make sure.’’
Lincoln Farms has sold Butterworth a number of horses who have gone on to forge successful careers, perhaps explaining why the big spending owner is now placing horses in their care.
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.”
