Driver Zachary Butcher gives trainer Ray Green his after-race report
Ray in love with Recco
By Barry Lichter • 13 September 2018
Ray Green has been around long enough to know there are no certainties in racing but if Recco Lover goes down at Cambridge on Friday night he’ll be mighty surprised.
“He’s potentially as good as anything I’ve had,’’ says Green who is tipping a good night for the stable. “Soundness is his only issue but he’s magic at the moment and if we can keep him that way he could be anything.’’
Green says Recco Lover was plagued with unsoundness through this two-year-old and three-year-old seasons.
“He was very slow maturing and couldn’t cope with the work. He had soft bones and we found little fractures around his stifles - we’ve done a lot of vet work to get him back.
“He has the ability of a cup horse and should kill them on Friday. He won’t be on top of his game after only two workouts but looking at the field he won’t have to be. Our other runner Trojan Banner looks to be his main danger.’’
Recco Lover, who lines up in gate four in the sixth race, rounded off his preparation with a very encouraging run at the Pukekohe workouts last Saturday.
Fourth behind topliners Star Galleria, On the Cards and Mach Shard, Recco Lover was timed to run his last quarter in 26.5 by driver Andre Poutama.
Star Galleria, one of the best pacers in the country, was clocked to run the 2500 metres in a cracking 3:12.5, home in 56.6 and 26.1.
On Friday the Bettor’s Delight four-year-old drops down in class to rating 57 to 63 opposition.
Banner a real Trojan this prep
Trojan Banner, drawn three, has come back a much stronger horse as a three-year-old, says Green, and is also trialling well, finishing just a neck and a head from stablemate Beaudiene Western last Saturday.
Green is tipping a profitable season for the Bettor’s Delight colt, who is out of a sister to New Zealand Cup winner Mainland Banner, and scored wins at Cambridge and Auckland last prep.
Green tips a big showing from Make Way in the seventh race on Friday night.
Having his first start since being narrowly photo-finished into fourth behind Another Masterpiece in the Harness Jewels at Cambridge in June, the Mach Three colt has been trialling strongly.
Last Saturday he finished just a neck behind stablemate I’mallaboutthebase at Pukekohe, home in 57.4 and 26.8.
“He’s really thrived since he’s been back.’’
Green says I’mallaboutthebase (race 9) should win a couple of race quite quickly for the stable.
Sent north from Woodlands in Southland by owner Steve Baucke, the mare had overcome a little knee issue and would be better for her first two runs.
“She had to go 2:41 in her first start at Auckland which was a bit alien to her. This is a good race for her to win as it’s for the boys and is penalty free.’’
While Green says everything being equal Northview Hustler (race 8) cannot beat Star Galleria with only a 10 metre start, but he could be Johnny-on-the-spot if anything goes wrong with the hot favourite.
“He’s come back super, has put weight on, and is a real gladiator. I’m expecting a big season from him. He’ll pick up some nice cheques.’’
More news in Harness
34 more meetings in the north next season as Auckland reclaims Friday nights
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Argyle out of action, injured, and barrier draw will take Nemo out of play too on Saturday
Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Captain Nemo.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.”
