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
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
