Ray’s workout tip: Bettor needs to get a little fitter and then we can chase the Dreamz
By Barry Lichter • 30 June 2019
His sectionals weren’t sharp and neither was the opposition but Bettor My Dreamz still did enough to show he has a future in Auckland by winning his first workout at Pukekohe on Saturday.
The latest of owner Merv Butterworth’s southern pacers to be entrusted to Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green, the three-year-old was eased back to second last early in the up to rating 71 heat over 2050 metres.
Driver Zachary Butcher moved Bettor My Dreamz up to trail at the 1400 and was then happy to just stroll along in third until easing off the fence into the one-one 500 from home.
It took little urging from Butcher for Bettor My Dreamz to reel in the leader as he sprinted home in 28.2 to beat Le Girl and Imajollywally by half a length.
With the overall time only 2:41.8, a mile rate of 2:07, it didn’t set any red lights flashing but Green said Butcher was happy with the run.
“He feels like a nice horse and he’s obviously been well schooled,’’ said Green.
“We had only basic gear on him and it needs a bit of tweaking. We’ll try him in blinkers next time as he doesn’t concentrate that well.
“He’ll definitely need another workout or two as he needs to be a bit sharper. He hasn’t raced for a while.’’
Bettor My Dreamz resumed from a seven month spell at Invercargill on June 8 but was well underdone even then, according to driver Brent Barclay, after a planned workout was cancelled.
“He’s a lovely horse and when we get him fitter I’m sure he’ll do a good job.’’
Man Of Action … a real tradesman. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Lincoln Farms’ only other runner on a quiet five-heat morning, Man Of Action, also took out his event, a 2050 metres for non winners.
The improving two-year-old trailed Todd MacFarlane’s Royal to the 500 when he eased out to attack, overpowering his rival in the home stretch with closing sectionals of 58 and 27.4.
Royal kicked back to cut the margin to a head but Man Of Action was never put under any pressure to run the trip in 2:39.8, a mile rate of 2:05.4.
“He’s always reliable and tradesman-like,’’ said Green. “I’m sure he’ll win one soon.’’
Man Of Action has not gone a bad race in his three runs this prep, his latest a neck defeat to Ideal Agent on mile night at Auckland when he paced 1:57.9.
“I thought he did really well that night. He was unlucky, inconvenienced at a crucial time.’’
More news in Harness
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Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
