Sugar Ray can deliver knockout blow from the ace in opening Young Guns heat at Auckland

Trainer Ray Green is bullish about the chances of Sugar Ray Lincoln ($6, $2.30) at Auckland on Friday night after the rising talent drew perfectly and most of his main rivals fared very poorly.

“There’s every chance we can get the money,” says Green of Sugar Ray’s pole position for the first Young Guns heat.

“If we hold up in front it will be difficult for the others - anything drawn out the back will be up against it.”

Those with the job ahead of them include last week’s winner and fixed odds favourite Confederate who starts from three on the second row, Tony Herlihy’s Roy Kent, who is two the second row, smart beautifully-bred triallist Infamee, the outside of the second row, and Great White and I Got Chills, who are stranded in the widest two spots on the front row.

“Confederate won’t get a two hole trip this time from the second row and Roy Kent will be at the mercy of how fast Demon Blue comes out.”

Green says while Maurice McKendry didn’t have to call on Sugar Ray’s gate speed last week, it’s there if he wants to use it and leading would also bring stablemate Lincoln Lou, on his back, into play.

“You can’t label these two-year-olds just yet. Some will improve, some will hit a brick wall but I’m pretty high on Sugar Ray. Whatever happens on Friday he should develop into a serious horse one day and Maurice is of the same opinion.

“He does feel good and he’s one of those who only does what he has to.

“Maurice is not one to wax lyrical so it’s good he’s enthused over him too.”

McKendry was unusually outspoken about Copy That’s little brother after his debut run at Auckland when he had to abort a mid-race attack on the lead then sit parked for the last lap. McKendry tapped the horse only once up the home straight, the colt showing courage to fight back for a one length second to Confederate who enjoyed a perfect trail and passing lane run.

“He’s a classy horse and he’s trained on well,” Green said.

“The other little fella (Lincoln Lou) went great last week but they were never going to beat him after he looped the field to lead and walked them.

“But he went nearly five seconds slower than Sugar Ray’s heat, which equates to about 20 lengths. He’ll find this field tougher.”

The unlucky runner in Lincoln Lou’s heat was undoubtedly Cyclone Jordy, who was last turning in and snookered all the way home, finishing well held by driver David Butcher, just 2.4 lengths away. The Tate Hopkins-trained Art Major colt out of 21-race winner Cyclone Kate starts from five on Friday night.