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Louie The Punter’s been sold but he’s worth black-booking after smart trial at Bathurst

Louie The Punter … trialled like a next-up winner on Monday. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Louie The Punter … trialled like a next-up winner on Monday. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Louie The Punter has his foot on the till but when the payout comes it will be for new owners.

The four-year-old Sweet Lou gelding, tipped to have a bright future in Queensland, has been sold by Lincoln Farms and is primed to open his Australian account in New South Wales.

Now with Bathurst trainer Bernie Hewitt, Louie The Punter showed he was busting to win when trialled there on Monday, coming from five lengths off the lead on the home turn to win by 2.2 metres untested in a slick 1:56.9 mile rate for the 1730 metres.

Louie The Punter, formerly raced by Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street and Glenn and Ann Cotterill, arrived in Queensland in March the winner of just three of his 21 starts.

But trainer Mark Dux had him labelled as an immediate multi-race winner after he was photo-finished in his two Brisbane outings in April.

Out of the Bettors Delight mare Love A Gamble, Louie The Punter is a brother of Lincoln Farms’ former consistent pacer Double Or Nothing and a half brother to the 29-race winner Let It Ride who has clocked 1:48.2 in the States.

Woodlands Stud’s half-brother by Downbytheseaside was one of the most sought-after lots at today’s New Zealand Bloodstock weanling sale at Karaka, fetching $36,000 to the bid of Queensland agent Stu Valentine.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm

“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”

Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm

“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”

Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm

“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”

Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm

“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”

Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm

“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”

Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm

“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”

Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm

“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”

Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm

“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”

Race Images - Harness