Line Up will be saved for a late charge to try to break All Stars’ stranglehold on the Sales race
By Barry Lichter • 29 December 2019
Expect top horseman Anthony Butt to save Line Up ($8) for a late charge in Tuesday’s $200,000 PGG Sales Series Final at Alexandra Park.
Drawn awkwardly in six, that’s about the only way trainer Ray Green can see his runner downing the All Stars’ favourites, with One Change ($1.50) drawn perfectly in two and stablemate Smooth Deal ($2.80) right on his back.
“He could lead if we wanted but it would cost him,” says Green. “Last time he led but he had to really burn to get across.”
“Those other horses will come off your back and if you’re not full of running, you’ll get nothing
“But he’s much more potent with a sit. Given a softer trip, he’ll get home a lot better.”
A top drive from A Butt could land Line Up a winner.Line Up showed just how fast he is when saved up, winning his heat at the Pukekohe workouts eight days ago coming from near last with a sustained showing of power.
Green says it will be up to Butt to secure a trip for the horse and see if he can get over the top of them.
“He just needs a bit of luck and if he gets it, he’s good enough to beat them.”
While Green’s top three-year-old Copy That easily withstood a late challenge from One Change in the Alabar Classic, the Purdon/Rasmussen charge was excellent on the clock, coming from last with a final mile in 1:54.4, and closing in 54.6 and 27.1.
The All Stars, which also has a third runner in Flying Even Bettor ($21) in the race, has won the Sales Series Final for the last six years with Ultimate Sniper, Chase Auckland, Ultimate Machete, Lazarus, Have Faith In Me and Isaiah.
Green’s second runner Hampton Banner ($81), while promising, will struggle to compete with the favourites but Green says with the right trip from gate five he could get a cheque.
Hampton Banner finished 11 lengths behind Copy That in the Alabar, albeit crowded for some distance on the home turn.
Platinum Stride can be competitive on Tuesday.Lincoln Farms’ two starters in the five-horse Young Guns heat are given little chance by the bookies with Platinum Stride at $34 and Captain Nemo at $81.
But while the impressive southerner Krug ($1.65) starts from the pole and the All Stars’ First Class ($2) is in two, Green believes Platinum Stride will be competitive.
“He’s got a bit of speed and he wasn’t quite as screwed down as the others were for the first heat when he ran fourth.
“The trouble with these small fields is they usually walk and sprint up the straight, and nobody comes out to force the issue.”
While completely overawed on debut last time, Green says Captain Nemo is much better than he showed.
“Zac probably left a bit too hard with him thinking he would lead and he’s not experienced enough to handle that sort of pressure yet. He won’t be leaving the gate this time.
“He’ll go for a decent rest once this is over. He’s a big, rangy horse who needs to strengthen up.”
Green’s fifth runner Ace Commander ($26) strikes a good field, including Tickle Me Pink ($1.95), in the fifth race but has the advantage of starting off the front tape.
“I’d love to see him on the front end as he’d be dangerous from there,” says Green.
“But if he’s in the money I’ll be happy. He’s going well and his turn will come.”
Ace Commander galloped off the mobile arm last start but recovered to secure the one-one, and finished only 2.8 lengths behind Anditover, running the fastest last mile in the race of 2:02.3.
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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.”
