Louie The Punter, outer, is right there last week after a shocking run.
Mark: Louie’s the one for Punters - he needs only average luck on Friday night to score
By Barry Lichter • 5 May 2022
Louie The Punter’s massive last start performance has left trainer Mark Dux confident he can win another four of five races in Queensland before the going gets tougher.
And the winning should start in the third race at Albion Park on Friday night even though the horse starts from the outside of the second row.
The Sweet Lou four-year-old could not have been more impressive in only his second race in Brisbane last week when he was badly inconvenienced at the start and came from last to go under by only half a neck, a nose and a short half head.
Dux had been hoping Louie would trail Congo Line all the way but when that horse crawled out of the pole, then galloped, forcing driver Pete McMullen to take evasive action and go round him, it looked curtains.
But when the pace dropped away in the second quarter to a pedestrian 32, McMullen got on his bike, starting a long three wide run from the rear.
And despite not getting any cover, the horse kept coming, looking a distinct danger up the straight.
The long green arrow alongside Louie The Punter’s name shows he made up 18 metres on the leader in the last 800 metres.Louie The Punter’s superior sectionals underlined the enormity of his effort, his 55.43 and 28.54 seeing him make up 18 metres on the leader over the last 800 metres.
“How far would we have won by if he’d trailed?” Dux said. “Pete was impressed and he should be very tough to beat on Friday night with even average luck. He just needs no bad luck like last time.
“I’m very happy with the horse, he pulled up well, and on last week’s effort he’ll win a few more races no trouble.”
Only one horse in Friday’s race has a higher rating than Louie The Punter (NR57) but Mach Brilliance (NR62) has drawn the outside of the arm.
Louie The Punter races at 8.25pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday night.
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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.”
