Rapidly improving Neptune a chance to get some of the major lucre again on Friday night

Neptune won so easily last week he will be strongly fancied to push older rival Midfrew Lucre at Auckland on Friday night.

The Bettor’s Delight two-year-old looked to be in trouble early in the run home when snookered behind the leaders but when Aardie’s Flash galloped and went inside the marker line, driver Zachary Butcher was able to switch down to the passing lane and put the race away in a few strides.

Neptune was cruising at the line, with Butcher sitting still, the one and a half length margin flattering his rivals.

Lincoln Farms’ stable foreman Andrew Drake said Butcher reported afterwards he had plenty in reserve.

“That other horse (Punk Rocker) made ground on him but Zac never moved after he pulled the plugs.”

All but one of Neptune’s rivals last Thursday were two-year-olds so he will find it a little harder this time facing older horses which include the vastly more experienced Midfrew Lucre, whom Butcher has chosen to stick with over Neptune.

While the four-year-old was surprisingly run down by his trailing stablemate Jack The Builder last week, a strong wind made it tough for leaders to get home and Midfrew Lucre still ran a full second faster than Neptune, who enjoyed a cover in the trail most of the way in his race.

Neptune is largely untapped, however, and now that he has really strengthened, the well related colt is expected to string together a good form line.

Drake reports Neptune pulled up well from his fresh-up run and nothing this week suggested he would not back up well on Friday when Maurice McKendry will take the reins.

Bettor Cheer is a brother to Cheer The Lady, Spanish Armada and Galleon’s Warrior. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Drake isn’t expecting too much of Bettor Cheer when he debuts in the last race.

The Bettor’s Delight two-year-old, who faces only five rivals, has taken time to get it together and when he led all the way to win a workout at Pukekohe last Friday it was his sixth outing in the last seven weeks.

“That was the best he’s gone,” said Drake who was at the helm. “He didn’t beat much but he did it easily.”

Timed to run the 2050 metres in a mile rate of 2:04.7, Bettor Cheer sprinted home in 57.5 and 28.6 to score by four and a half lengths.

“We’ll get more of a line on him on Friday but we think he’s more of a Cambridge horse.

“In such a small field though he should be thereabouts.”

The gelding is well related, being a brother to New Zealand Oaks winner Cheer The Lady (11 wins), Spanish Armada (14 wins and $787, 470) and Galleon’s Warrior (11 wins).

After scratching Simply Sam and Lincoln River, on whom vet work was done this week, Riverman Sam is the only other runner for Lincoln Farms on Friday.

While the highest rated horse in the fourth race, Drake says he will need the run, his first for nearly two months.

Only one of Riverman Sam’s five wins has been at Alexandra Park but Drake is hoping he will now handle the right-handed way of going better.

Riverman Sam limbered up for Friday night with a strong workout at Pukekohe last week behind Chimichurri and Copy That.

Though beaten three and a quarter lengths, he still clocked a solid 3:06 for his last 2400 metres.

Riverman’s Sam’s ability is not in question - two starts back at Auckland he was best of the rest behind Old Town Road, now recognised as one of the most promising young pacers in the country after his cup week performances.