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.’’
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Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
