Menu

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

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.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 1: Tyson
5.31pm

“He’s not the best steering horse in the world. He’ll win races but he’s a funny horse and you can never be sure which Tyson will turn up.”

Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.29pm

“Drawn the outside of the second line he was never going to be in the hunt last time but Maurice said he paced much better. We’re trying him in spreaders and from one on the second row he should get a better trip. It all depends on which one turns up. We know he’s capable of winning if he comes with his A game.”

Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.30pm

“I’ve changed his bit to try to slow him down. He’s been pulling too hard. He’s an honest horse who you can never count out.”

Race 5: Kevin Kline
7.30pm

“I’m always pleased with Kevin - he never runs a bad race. He gave the favourite (Mantra Blue) a bit of a fright last week and in another 20 metres I think he would have got her. It’s only 1700 metres this time and he looks a good chance. The five draw shouldn’t bother him as he can do a bit of work.”

Race 7: The Rascal
8.22pm

“I thought he was pretty good last week despite not handling the corners. I’ve put spreaders on him this time, and he’s trained well in them, so it should give him every opportunity. I rate him a winning chance.”

Race Images - Harness