Neptune gets his chance with big drop in grade at Cambridge on Thursday night

Showy black Neptune might have disappointed trainer Ray Green in his last couple of starts at Auckland but he is set a much easier task at Cambridge on Thursday night.

The Bettor’s Delight three-year-old lands in a rating 47 to 57 race, a big drop in grade from the horses who have beaten him home in two starts since resuming.

First-up, when expected to go well, Neptune paced 2:40 flat in the Alabar Classic, but that was only good enough to run fifth behind Sherlock, Son Of Mac, Sinbad and Jolimont.

And last time, he could run only fourth to runaway winner Who’s Delight, but was really burned early in an unsuccessful crack for the lead, eventually found it 1200 metres out, then trailed, but was left with no finishing punch in another swift 2:41.4 2200 metres.

All those horses contest Friday night’s $135,000 Woodlands Stud Northern Derby, while Neptune ventures south of the Bombay hill for the first time since his debut last June.

Green says Neptune has to rate a good chance in Thursday night’s field, even though his second row draw might inconvenience him a little.

But he cautions that while the colt has shown plenty of speed, he is still not strong enough.

“He’s a big horse, who might have shot up too quickly and, from my perspective, he has been a little bit disappointing. I thought he should have run on a bit better in two or three of his starts.

“But he should be competitive in a field like this.”

Zachary Butcher brings back Commander Lincoln after his debut win at Cambridge. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.Green also lines up Cambridge debutant winner Commander Lincoln in the same race, from three on the gate.

“He doesn’t have as much speed as Neptune but I can’t fault what he’s done so far - one start for one win, and a good win.”

Hopelessly placed early, four back on the markers, driver Zachary Butcher got him out three wide with cover and he mounted a sustained home stretch finish to get up and beat Invisible a head, clocking 2:43.2.

“He’s up a grade this time but should get a nice trip from three,” Green said.

Commander Lincoln, however, could not foot it with Neptune at last Saturday’s workouts at Pukekohe, trailing him home by five lengths.

The only other Lincoln Farms’ runner on Thursday night is Next To Me who has drawn the pole in the fifth race for junior drivers.

And, while Next To Me has won only one of his 12 starts, Green is expecting him to go well from the draw.

Last start at Cambridge, Next To Me covered a lot of extra ground early from the outside of the gate, parking 1700 metres from home, and battling on bravely for a close third to stablemate Lincoln River, who contests Friday night’s derby at Auckland.

“He’ll go well if he races like last time. He trialled really well on Saturday and seems in good shape.”

Handled by race night driver Monika Ranger at Pukekohe, Next To Me trailed and fought strongly to be pipped a half head and neck by Ideal Kingdom and Loutenant.