Steam Punk a work in progress - but there’s definitely more in the tank
By Barry Lichter • 10 December 2018
Easy Auckland winner Steam Punk has the ability to win more races quite quickly - but trainer Ray Green has some experimenting to do first.
“He’s still a work in progress,’’ says Green of the three-year-old who led all the way to score in only his second race last Friday night at Alexandra Park.
While the win might have looked clinical to most, Green could see Steam Punk putting in a few fancy steps in the running, observations confirmed by driver Zachary Butcher on returning to scale.
A little rough and uncertain in his gait, Butcher told Green he kept a good grip on the horse even up the home stretch, sensing he could make a mistake if pressured too much.
“You can’t knock a winning performance but he did only go 2:46.7,’’ says Green.
Zachary Butcher brings Steam Punk back to scale.“I’m sure there’s a lot more there but we need to sort a few little things first. I’ll be doing a bit of experimenting with him before he lines up again.
“I’m still learning about the horse but when we can get him pacing 100 percent and ask him for more, he should win two or three more races quite quickly.’’
Steam Punk has been at Lincoln Farms for only a month after being sent north by Australian owner Merv Butterworth.
He showed this nervy nature on debut on November 30 when he lost the plot after being hunted hard out of the gate, galloping out of contention.
Green was immediately on to that, deadening him down for his next start with a fixed deafener and blinds.
The horse also wore different hopples last Friday after Butcher reported they felt a little tight the previous week.
Green is not convinced they got the hopple length right second time either, the straps looking a little long.
“I’ll school him up a bit in the next week, and adjust the hopples, and hopefully next time we can give him a bit more confidence. But he is very green and nervous - he’d jump if you dropped something beside him.’’
Zealand Star is last but under a big hold by David Butcher with nowhere to go.Earlier in the night Green was left lamenting about the bad luck encountered by Butterworth’s second runner, Zealand Star, who never saw clear air in the run home and was hard held by David Butcher at the line, last but only 3.7 lengths from winner Solid Gold.
Butcher followed instructions not to burn the five-year-old early, Butterworth looking for a “Herlihy-like marker hugging drive” to allow the sit-sprinter to shine late.
But Butcher was trapped four deep and was still three deep turning for home, gaps never eventuating as his “death grip” tightened on the horse the closer he got to the post.
More news in Harness
Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Shunt and tangled tail hamper our Johnny - why he can win Friday’s Lincoln Farms Pace
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“She didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
