Perfect Stride has felt flat in his work over the last few days.
Perfect Stride not so perfect so he’ll have a week off
By Barry Lichter • 5 February 2019
Lincoln Farms’ assault on the Young Guns heat at Auckland on Friday night is down to four after trainer Ray Green decided today to scratch Perfect Stride.
The younger brother to champion Chicago Bull had drawn gate three and would have started a warm favourite after his dominating win in the last two-year-old feature.
But Green says the colt, raced by leading Australian owner Emilio Rosati, has not been himself in the last few days and he won’t be taking any risks with him.
“Zac (Butcher) said he didn’t show his usual zip in his workout last Saturday and Andre (Poutama) also said he didn’t feel his usual self in his work this morning.
“There’s obviously something not quite right so we’ll get the vet out to see if we can find a problem and he’ll probably have a week off.’’
With Perfect Stride out, the $25,000 race will have only five starters, Lincoln Farms looking a chance to have the first four home with Line Up, Sir Tiger, Double Or Nothing and Copy That.
Butcher, Perfect Stride’s regular driver, will switch to Line Up who has been ultra impressive in his recent workouts at Pukekohe.
The fifth runner, Eagle Watch, is trained by Mike Berger and has been unplaced in his three starts.
More news in Harness
All hail Debbie, the new speed queen of Alex Park, as she tackles a mile from the pole
Ray reaches for the half hopples to keep Whats Up The Hill trotting at Cambridge on Thursday
Debbie Lincoln’s sizzling win has namesake Debbie Green excited about the future
A Moose in his happy place is a fast Moose but programming hurdles lie ahead
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Whats Up The Hill
4.59pm
“Fergie wasn’t exuding praise for him after his last start when he galloped away. But we’ve taken everything off him this time, no half hopples, no fixed deafeners, and that’s the same as when he won at Auckland last prep.”
Race 5: Lincoln La Moose
6.45pm
“The winner had it handed to him last time, when he went only 2:45.9, and that meant he outsprinted our boy with a 56.3 last half. When we won the previous week he went 2:40. He likes to roll along, so it will be tempo dependent. It’s his first go from a stand and only second at 2700 metres so we’ll find out if he likes it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
6.49pm
“We’ve never really tried to leave the gate with her but, from the inside draw, she has the advantage and should lead or trail. You’d have to say on her last run she’s the best chance of our trio.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.49pm
“He’s thriving and looking very well. He was only just beaten last time and, from two, should get every chance.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
6.49pm
“His closing sectionals were very fast last week and he never goes a bad race. The draw isn’t as desirable, but the small field helps.”
Race 4: Tyson
7.21pm
“He had to do a lot of work last week. You can never count him out because he’s so tough.”
