Arden’s Horizon just needs an easier trip to be a major threat at Auckland on Friday night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ray’s tactic for Auckland on Friday night - No early burn this time on Arden’s Horizon
By Barry Lichter • 28 October 2021
Don’t expect Arden’s Horizon to burn for the lead at Auckland on Friday night, a key change of tactics which trainer Ray Green hopes will see the horse in the money.
Arden’s Horizon lines up in the third race and, while he is only a two-year-old racing older horses, the race is pretty much devoid of form and his is better than it looks on paper.
Last week, Arden’s Horizon used up a lot of petrol to hold the lead, then was attacked by Governor’s Bay, leaving him running on empty early in the home straight.
And while he was gobbled up 150 metres from home he still fought bravely, finishing only 2.6 lengths from the winner Rocknroll Rouelette, who came with a big late run.
That’s what Green wants to see from his Bettor’s Delight colt this week.
“I pick we’ll be going back this week from gate six and save him for the finish, rather than the other way round. He had a harder trip than I would have liked last time and ended up being target practice for the others.
“What he’s crying out for is a more economical trip. He doesn’t need to burn to the lead or sit parked. He’s better to sit back and be presented late.
“He’s honest and they’re not the best lot that he meets.”
Zac Butcher, pictured driving Pasquale, takes the reins on Friday night. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.The form of Lincoln Farms’ pair Pasquale and Louie LeBeau might not look the best in the second race but it’s a big drop in class for them after racing in last week’s Sires’ Stakes heat.
“There’s not between them ability-wise but Louie LeBeau is a bit more tractible,” says Green.
“Pasquale is a real rubber necker, he’s difficult to steer, wandering here and there.”
The two-year-old wasn’t helped last week when his overcheck was dislodged 1300 metres from home, causing him to lay in and hit several pegs on the home bend.
“He had a long overcheck, that’s why it came off, and he probably needs two poles.”
In finishing seventh behind Major Perry, Montana DJ, Mr Ibiza and Pauly D, Pasquale still managed to run his last mile in 1:57.
“Zac (Butcher) is driving him this week and he comes in to three so hopefully he can get a nice run.”
Louie LeBeau finished a length in front of Pasquale last week after being pushed four then five wide on the home bend when making his run.
Green worries Louie won’t get the best trip again from six on Friday.
“It’s an awkward draw. He’s never actually had a decent trip. Once he gets a draw and a trip he’ll be in the money. He’s a nice horse, not the strongest yet but he tries hard.”
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.22pm
“She got home really well on the second night at Manawatu and gets a good draw here. There’s not much exposed form in the race so it’s hard to know how she compares but she’ll win one.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
7.01pm
“I thought she went super again last week with no luck and we’ve got a decent draw for a change so you have to like her chances. She’s been getting in on the corners, so we’ve added a Murphy blind.”
Race 3: Tyson
7.01pm
“I was impressed by the way he hung on to Captain Sampson and Greased Lightnin last week. They’re strong sprinters and it was only a sprint up the straight. He’ll need things to go his way from six.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.01pm
“It was his first run for a while last week and he probably needed another trial. But we thought we might as well race him to set him up for this week. The outside draw of eight doesn’t help.”
Race 9: Lincoln Lover
9.55pm
“He’s not as sharp as our other two but he’s a game little bugger. He’ll win races for sure.”
Race 9: Prince Lincoln
9.55pm
“I thought he went really well last week. He’d had only one trial and was a bit fresh so it was understandable that he got tired the last bit. That will tighten him up and I’m expecting him to race well. He’s trained on well since.”
Race 9: Johnny Lincoln
9.55pm
“Prince has the wood on Johnny but he’ll still go well. He found the line well last week. It was his first run for a while too, and his first as a gelding.”
