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.
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Les Harding
Monday at Globe Derby
Race 6: Beaudiene Rocknroll
6.34pm NZ time
This race will tell us how he measures up against the local horses. We decided to go for this lower graded race, despite having lower prize money, instead of going to the trials one more time. He won the second of two trials on April 21, beating race rival Hezrockinroyalty by four metres. Run over 2230 metres he clocked 57.7 for his last half and 1:59.7 for his last mile. From the pole he’ll start short and be hard to beat.
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 7: Lincoln Lou
8.25pm
“He’s a beautiful little horse who doesn’t do anything wrong. He got held up at a crucial time last week and got home well (for sixth). He gets out pretty well so should get a good trip from two. He’ll go his usual honest race. He’s improving all the time, he’s a gutsy little guy, but whether he can measure up to the favourites remains to be seen.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.25pm
“He’s a work in progress and we’re still dabbling with his gear. He’s actually a naturally good-gaited horse, like all the American Ideals, but he’s going through a stage of not really knowing why he’s out there. You just don’t know when he’ll click but three is an ideal draw for him and he should be handy if he does things right.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
9.20pm
“He’s an under-rated horse, as good as those others who are higher rated. He’s proving to be a tidy horse and, while he’s not viewed as a serious player by some, I think he is. He was closing off really well last week behind Hugotastic.”
