Perfect Stride is only kidding as All Yours gets up on his inner at Alexandra Park tonight. PHOTO: Joel Gillan/Race Images.
Ray has Perfect Stride perfectly primed for the Breeders Crown - but he’s sad to see him go
By Barry Lichter • 26 July 2019
“He’s a beautiful horse and I’m sorry to be losing him.”
It was with both pride and regret that Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green greeted Perfect Stride and driver Zachary Butcher after their all-the-way win at Alexandra Park tonight.
The electric two-year-old, whose winning time of 1:56.1 was bettered only by Gladamare (1.55.1) on mile night, will be loaded onto a flight to Melbourne on Wednesday - and won’t be coming home.
Green can take some comfort from the fact he will still be the official trainer when Perfect Stride tackles the Breeders’ Crown series, starting at Shepparton on August 7.
But after the final at Melton on August 24, the little colt will continue his career in Australia for owner Emilio Rosati.
Perfect Stride will be joined on the flight by Lincoln Farms’ stablemate Zeuss Bromac, who will also tackle the Breeders Crown for Butcher and new owners.
The pair will initially enter the Bacchus Marsh stable of Craig Demmler, 50km outside Melbourne, and with Butcher committed to his own horse, the Perfect Stride drive will go to top Melton horseman Anthony Butt.
Zachary Butcher brings Perfect Stride back to scale after his all-the-way win. PHOTO: Joel Gillan/Race Images.Green predicts Perfect Stride will do a great job in Australia.
“Those Aussies will be getting windburn,” he joked.
“Running in front like tonight isn’t really his go. He’s much more powerful coming off the pace as he’s got a lot of speed and acceleration.
“He’s a lovely horse and can only get better. It’s good to see one who cost a fair price justifying the money.”
A younger brother of pin-up West Australian pacer Chicago Bull, the Bettor’s Delight colt cost Rosati $190,000 as a yearling in Christchurch, bought on the recommendation of Green.
Tonight’s win was the third of his freshman season and satisfied Green that he would be leaving his Pukekohe stable in tip top order.
While it might have appeared that Perfect Stride was all out to hold All Yours and Mattie White at the line, his winning margin only half a neck, Butcher revealed the colt was just up to his old trick of knocking off once the job was done.
“He always does that when he’s front,” Butcher said.
Greeting Perfect Stride are, from left, Woodlands Stud race sponsor Andrew Grierson, trainer Ray Green and Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton. PHOTO: Joel Gillan/Race Images.“He was flicking his ears and it never felt like the other horse would get me. And when it did get close, mine took off again.”
Without being put under too much pressure, Perfect Stride sizzled over his last 800 metres in 56.7 and 400 in 27.3.
Green was happy enough with the run for seventh in the same race by Better My Dreamz who was having his first run in the north for owner Merv Butterworth.
“He just lacks fitness,” said Green. “He needed that run and will probably need another.”
The three-year-old also got down on his off hind bumper and got in on one rein, according to driver Andre Poutama.
Said Green: “He’d never raced this way round before and we’ll need to gear him up a bit better next time. He needs a pole.”
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
