Louie LeBeau and Sugar Apple primed for bold runs at Auckland on Thursday night

Promising two-year-olds Sugar Apple and Louie LeBeau give Lincoln Farms a solid two-pronged attack on the sixth race at Auckland on Thursday night.

Both horses are coming off back-to-back workout wins at Pukekohe, Louie LeBeau set to debut from the second row and Sugar Apple resuming from five on the gate.

Over the mobile mile, Sugar Apple gets the chance to probe for the lead, having shown high gate speed at his last start when leading the Two-Year-Old Emerald field at Cambridge in early June.

But trainer Ray Green says he’ll be happy to see the Sweet Lou colt take a trail.

“The raw ability is there he just needs to get stronger. He can’t cop too much pressure at the moment but if he gets sucked along and pounces on them he’s quite effective.

Sugar Apple in high spirits at Cambridge on Harness Jewels day when he led the Two-Year-Old Emerald.“His half brother American Dealer was the same. He used to need a trip to beat the good horses but he showed in Queensland that he can take it to them now. This little guy theoretically is the same.”

Last Saturday at Pukekohe Sugar Apple came from the trail to outsprint his rivals in a 2050 metre heat, home in 56.8 and 27.5, while he led all the way the previous Friday, sprinting home in 56.3.

Louie LeBeau has also impressed in his two workouts this time in, leading in the first, then coming from last with a sweeping home turn sprint that carried him to a half length win.

Green describes the American Ideal youngster as a nice colt with good gait and manners.

“He’s got stronger and will continue to as he’s still growing. He’s a lovely horse with raw ability and it’s hard to know just yet how far he’ll take us.

“Two on the second row might not be the worst place for him as he can get fired up. This is his first night at the races but he should still go well.”

Lincoln Farms’ third runner, Arden’s Horizon, takes on the older horses in the second race and is hugely disadvantaged drawn the outside of the front line over the mile.

“But he’s a strong colt with a bit of class about him,” says Green. “If he can get a decent run into it, he won’t be far away.

“I certainly don’t see him burning out from eight. He’ll be looking for a trip and if he gets some luck he’s a chance.”

Arden’s Horizon, who never got into the action on Jewels day from a second row draw, has looked sharp in his two recent workout placings, sprinting stylishly when just photo-finished by Be My Rose and Miss Hathaway last Saturday.

Two starts back he looked unlucky not to finish closer than sixth behind Suntan, held up 100 metres out when motoring home from the back.