Smart trial shows why Ray’s surprised by The Big Lebowski’s big odds for Tuesday
By Barry Lichter • 12 November 2024
He might not have the respect of the TAB bookies but The Big Lebowski can outrun his $18 odds in Tuesday’s $40,000 Junior Free-for-all at Addington, says trainer Ray Green.
The Big Lebowski rounded off his preparation for cup day with a strong trial on Wednesday, when he was nosed out late by visiting Victorian Hes From Heaven, the winner of eight of his 16 starts who is here for the $500,000 Velocity slot race on Show day.
The giant pacer trailed Hes From Heaven in the 1980 metre heat, the pair closing in 55.5 and going across the line locked together, with topliners Princess Meritaten and Duchess Megxit next home.
“The big fellow rounded up Hes From Heaven in a few steps and switched off a bit,” Green said.
“I don’t think Blair (Orange) pushed him out and he’s keen to drive him on Tuesday. That run has set him up nicely and I’m sure he’ll go well.”
While The Big Lebowski (R75) ranks only in the middle of the rating 63 to 116 event, which features top Australian Catch A Wave, Green rates him a solid each-way chance.
“He’s got the draw (four) and the driver and he’s in a good place at the moment. He should be right in the fray.”
The Big Lebowski with trainer Ray Green and Nathan Delany after his decisive win at Addington. PHOTO: Ajay Berry/Race Images.While The Big Lebowski lost his chance in the Ashburton Flying Stakes by galloping 1300 metres out, Green says his previous win at Addington, over the mobile 2600 metres of the Junior Free-for-all, is a better guide.
“He’s got a lot of ability and you can’t count him out.”
Bookies offering $4.40 for a place on the horse had obviously forgotten The Big Lebowski’s massive performances in Auckland before his injury in 2023.
Debuting in the north at Alexandra Park he bolted in by 11 lengths before finishing only three and a half lengths behind Akuta in the Auckland Cup (3200m), hard on their backs with nowhere to go.
Green said in the week since he returned from Christchurch, the stable’s Nathan Delany had done a great job with the horse.
“Nathan is doing a sterling job with him, he’s turned out to be very diligent. If I’d known what he’d be like I probably wouldn’t have gone down in the first place.”
Green’s return to Pukekohe was prompted by the below par performances of Sugar Ray Lincoln and Frisco Bay at Ashburton, both returning ordinary scopes, found to have a virus, and sent home.
More news in Harness
Lincoln Wave poised for cheeky showing at Auckland on Friday night despite ratings
Prince has timekeepers reaching for record books again but where does his future lie?
Prince Lincoln spearheads record-sized team for Lincoln Farms at Cambridge on Friday
Ray cautions punters with no lead this time for Jekyll and Hyde colt Prince Lincoln
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“She normally runs on better but, after looking like she was going to round them up on the turn last week, she just flattened out. But she’ll be hovering around there somewhere.”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
6.55pm
“She’s such a tough little filly who tries so hard. I wish I had one with speed with those qualities. It would be nice if they go hard, and she gets a suck along, then she might get a small piece of it. She never goes a bad race.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
6.55pm
“She’s been going all right but she keeps getting awkward draws and getting pushed back to the rear. Because of her initial success (as a two-year-old) she’s been badly off in the ratings but she’s slowly losing points.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
6.55pm
“He’s a serious winning chance. He’ll go forward from his outside gate and try to dominate again in front. He’s not just winning, he’s demolishing them.”
Race 9: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.45pm
“He got fired up at Cambridge with the long delay and, after he went forward to get a position, Fergie was just a passenger. When they pull that hard they don’t run on. He’s been racing well and can’t be ruled out if he gets a good trip.”
Race 9: Lincoln Wave
8.45pm
”If he gets a half decent trip, he’s the one to beat. Ignore the Cambridge run last week from a stand. We know what he can do from the mobile.”
