Sir Tiger (Zachary Butcher) is under no pressure to beat Pekeson at Pukekohe today.
Sir Tiger still a little snotty but also a little too good for maidens at Pukekohe
By Barry Lichter • 23 March 2019
Smart two-year-old Sir Tiger showed he had all but shrugged off his virus when he proved too good for a field of maidens at today’s Pukekohe trials.
Sent from the trail after 500 metres by Zachary Butcher, Sir Tiger paced smoothly in the lead and, woken up turning in, repelled a bevy of challengers comfortably to win by a head.
The colt clocked 2:39.7 for the 2050 metres, a mile rate of 2:05.4, home in 59.3 and 28.
It was all trainer Ray Green wanted to see given he says Sir Tiger is still not completely over the virus which has ravaged his team.
“He’s still got a bit of a snotty nose so he won’t be on top of his game yet.
“All the horses on the place have had it or have got it to some degree. It’s very difficult to get rid of. They’re not sick, sick but they’re still snotty.
‘It’s just the time of year when the weather is so changeable and it seems to incubate these things.’’
Green was full off praise for the athletic looking colt. “He’s a son of Sir Lincoln - say no more.
“He’s such a nice, tractable, lovely driving horse who’s a gentleman to work with.
“And he’s a proper little racehorse - he tries hard.’’
Butcher was surprised at how much Sir Tiger has improved in recent months.
“That’s the first time I’ve driven him for a while and he’s really come on.
“He did start loafing a bit today but he runs when you ask him to and he still clocked a 27.5 last quarter.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing him in half blinkers though to help him when it gets down to the nitty gritty.’’
Sir Tiger will have his next start at Auckland on April 5, a race exciting stablemate Line Up will also contest as a lead-in to a Sires Stakes heat at Cambridge on April 18.
Super Easy (Andre Poutama) is about to spring out of the trail but Joey Lincoln is getting rough at the back of the field.Fellow two-year-olds Joey Lincoln and Super Easy are not quite ready for raceday competition.
The pair ran in a four-horse learners’ heat over 2050 metres and both did plenty wrong.
Super Easy, having his first workout since December, was much too keen in the trail for driver Andre Poutama and got very rocky in the run home finishing third, a nose and a neck from the winner Godziller who flew late.
“We’ll plug his ears next time,’’ says Green.
“That’s the first time we’ve trained him with other horses and he got a bit excited.
“He’s a big, gormless thing and he’ll go round and round and get better and better. But he needs time to fill out his big frame.’’
Green is likely to spell Joey Lincoln who broke 400 metres from home, in the same spot as previous misdemeanours.
“I might try him in heavier hopples but he probably needs to go out. It could just be in his head.’’
Butcher says Joey Lincoln got rough 15 strides before he galloped.
“It’s annoying because he’s so well gaited and he’s not sore.’’
More news in Harness
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
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
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.”
