Louie The Punter’s been sold but he’s worth black-booking after smart trial at Bathurst
By Barry Lichter • 26 May 2022
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.
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Les Harding
Monday at Globe Derby
Race 6: Beaudiene Rocknroll
6.34pm NZ time
This race will tell us how he measures up against the local horses. We decided to go for this lower graded race, despite having lower prize money, instead of going to the trials one more time. He won the second of two trials on April 21, beating race rival Hezrockinroyalty by four metres. Run over 2230 metres he clocked 57.7 for his last half and 1:59.7 for his last mile. From the pole he’ll start short and be hard to beat.
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 7: Lincoln Lou
8.25pm
“He’s a beautiful little horse who doesn’t do anything wrong. He got held up at a crucial time last week and got home well (for sixth). He gets out pretty well so should get a good trip from two. He’ll go his usual honest race. He’s improving all the time, he’s a gutsy little guy, but whether he can measure up to the favourites remains to be seen.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.25pm
“He’s a work in progress and we’re still dabbling with his gear. He’s actually a naturally good-gaited horse, like all the American Ideals, but he’s going through a stage of not really knowing why he’s out there. You just don’t know when he’ll click but three is an ideal draw for him and he should be handy if he does things right.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
9.20pm
“He’s an under-rated horse, as good as those others who are higher rated. He’s proving to be a tidy horse and, while he’s not viewed as a serious player by some, I think he is. He was closing off really well last week behind Hugotastic.”
