Andrew Drake with Ace Commander going about their daily business at Lincoln Farms. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ray: Hard to see Ace taking a trick on Friday but he’s good for some minor cash
By Barry Lichter • 18 December 2019
Ace Commander is a lovely old horse, says trainer Ray Green, but realistically he knows he’s going to struggle to win at Auckland on Friday night.
That doesn’t mean the Monarchy six-year-old can’t get some of the money in the fourth race, however, with only five rivals, and being the highest equal rated horse in the field.
Sharing the R66 mark with him, however, is returning trotter Tricky Ric who looked a real mover and shaker last season which he climaxed with a second to Tickle Me Pink in the Three-year-Old Ruby at the Harness Jewels.
Tricky Ric signalled he was coming to hand well when only two necks behind subsequent Methven Green Mile winner Heavyweight Hero and Tickle Me Pink at the Pukekohe workouts last month.
Ace Commander … lovely old trotter who trainer Ray Green would like to see run along in front.Ace Commander might not have been in quite such exalted company in his last start at Auckland last Saturday night but nevertheless his third was behind two up-and-coming types in Havehorsewilltravel and Anditover, in a fast 2:43.9 for the 2200 metres.
Three back on the outer most of the way, Ace Commander was pulled out to make his challenge 500 metres from home but only battled away, finishing 3.8 lengths from the winner.
It was his best run in four starts this time in, following on from two races where he was bottled up in the home stretch, unable to show what he had.
“He whacked away quite well last time and I’m hoping he can go a notch closer this time,” says Green.
“He’s no champion but he’s doing everything right and should get a win soon. I’d like to see him on the front end some time as he trots along every well like that.
“So long as he keeps getting cheques I’ll be happy but you’d have to say that once he wins he’ll have to be exported as he will find it tough in the next grade.”
Owned by Australian Merv Butterworth, Ace Commander has won five of his 29 starts and bears the battle marks of a veteran, scars on his legs evidence of having being caught up in a fence at some stage earlier in his life.
His early runs for Green were spoiled by a breathing problem which needed surgery for an entrapped epiglottis.
More news in Harness
Bags packed for Aussie - Ray’s ‘real racehorse’ Tyson sold to Albion Park boss
Ultimate gear change does the trick for brave little tradesman Lincoln Lover
Maurice gets “motor cleaned up” and hands reins of Wave to 3000 club mate Tony Herlihy
The Night Fox the latest in Nate’s love affair with Vincent - and he’s working super
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Lover
6.49pm
“You can’t fault what he’s done in his last four starts - he hasn’t missed a cheque. He’s raced at Auckland before as a two-year-old against good horses so it shouldn’t be too daunting for him. He’ll go an honest race, it’s just whether he’s good enough.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
7.57pm
Nathan Delany: “He had to trial on Tuesday after hitting the gate and breaking at Cambridge and I was happy with how he went. He ran Dear God to half a length in 2:38, and got home in 27.3. I’ll tell Harry to have one run at them and he should beat them for speed. Hopefully they run along a bit and he’ll sprint straight past them.”
Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.57pm
“She lacks a bit of speed but she’s a rough chance.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.24pm
“It’s her first start for five months and she hasn’t trialled but she’s training well. She has plenty of ability and there’s nothing wonderful in the race. In the past she’s been her own worst enemy, a lunatic at times, but she seems more settled this time in. You could say I’m hopeful more than confident.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.24pm
“She has a bit of speed. She hasn’t been strong but seems to have developed a bit more this time in and is training quite well. I don’t think there’s much between her and Lincoln Linda.”
