Andre Poutama has Apieceoflou really running in his upset win at Alexandra Park. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ray confident the improving Apieceoflou will do a good job for his new owners in Australia
By Barry Lichter • 14 December 2020
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green never made a secret of the fact he liked Apieceoflou as a racehorse.
So it was with mixed feelings that he said goodbye to the horse yesterday.
The Sweet Lou three-year-old has been sold and flew to Australia where Green says he’s sure he’ll do a good job.
“He could develop into a half decent horse, given time. He’s not up to the good ones at this stage but the buyers will get their money back.”
Lincoln Farms’ owner John Street paid $85,000 for the big, rangy colt at the 2019 Christchurch yearling sale, alerted to his good American pedigree.
Out of Wantapieceofme, a half-sister to a 1:47 winner, he boasts a string of big race winners in his family.
While he won only one of his 16 starts here, he seldom enjoyed luck with the barrier draws, regularly posting the best sectional times in his races, roaring home from the back.
In the one race he did win, in October, he started from two on the gate, trailed, and swished up the passing lane for Andre Poutama to easily beat an in-form Luke John by one and a quarter lengths. His time of 2:02.6 for the 1700 metres represented a slick mile rate of 1:56, his 800 and 400 splits of 55.1 and 26.9 right up there.
The worst he finished in four starts since then was fourth, running into useful types like Taipo and Jack Ryan.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
