American Dealer has beaten Krug twice and is ready to test him again in Friday night’s New Zealand Derby. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
The bookies have got it wrong - a drop of luck and Dealer’s the one to test Krug in the derby
By Barry Lichter • 7 April 2021
American Dealer might have a second row draw to overcome in Friday night’s $200,000 New Zealand Pacing Derby but how the bookies have dropped him is beyond trainer Ray Green.
Despite being the second most accomplished horse behind hot favourite Krug, Lincoln Farms’ star three-year-old is rated only the sixth favourite for the Addington classic, bookies offering a generous $11 and $3.50.
“I can’t work out their logic. He’s paying a lot more than some of those he’s flogged in the past. And he’s beaten Krug (twice) which none of those they rate above him have done.
“I know he’ll need some luck from three on the second row but you certainly can’t discount him like the bookies.
“He’s never run a bad race in his life and if he gets a good trip he’ll be right there, he always is.”
Green says American Dealer performed way above what he expected at Auckland on March 26, resuming from a break during which time he also picked up a stable bug.
Ray Green … Dealer’s last start second was “superb”.“I thought he was superb running second against a better bunch than he meets on Friday, Krug excepted.
“It was his first time against some pretty good open class horses. Usually that transition is hard but he was unlucky not to win.”
Taken back from the outside of the arm by Zachary Butcher, American Dealer was still third last 500 metres out when he launched three wide.
“He was five wide round the corner on a 56 half and still got within 1.3 lengths of winner Dance Time in 2:39.4.”
American Dealer was clocked home from the 800 in 55.7, easily the fastest in the race and seven tenths of a second faster than third-placed Kango.
And his final mile of 1:56.9 was also clearly the fastest in the race and trumped the winner’s time by a full two seconds.
Green says he’s confident American Dealer is in the right nick to be a real threat to Krug.
“It’s just a question of how the start works out. I think Blair will go forward with Krug and try to slot in. I can’t imagine him going back, he won’t want to be stuck behind the riff raff.
“And if he led he’d be the one to beat but, remember, it’s 2600 metres and he wouldn’t want to burn too much gas to get there.”
Green reports both American Dealer and his travelling companion Arden’s Horizon, who will contest Friday night’s Welcome Stakes, arrived safely in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon after leaving Pukekohe the previous morning.
“Both travelled well and haven’t missed a bit of feed since. They’re feeling pretty good.
“They trained a little bit this morning, just had a bowl around and both felt really good. They’re ready to go.”
Green says Arden’s Horizon deserves his shot at the southern two-year-old feature after his impressive last start win at Auckland.
Unlucky on debut, when he dragged a punctured tyre for most of the race, Arden’s Horizon lacks experience but Green says you can put most of his Welcome Stakes rivals in the same boat.
“He hasn’t quite worked out what’s going on yet but he’s got a bit of speed and he’s a lovely pacer.
“He deserves the chance and the trip away and the race will be good experience for him.
“The six draw is are a bit of an inconvenience but I’m sure he’ll go well.”
Hail Lucius rips home along the inner to run an eye-catching third to Arden’s Horizon.Plagued by bad draws
Green’s bad luck with barrier draws doesn’t end with the Addington meeting, his home pair Hail Lucius (drawn seven) and Smokinhotcheddar (inside second row) also hampered at Alexandra Park.
Hail Lucius showed a glimpse of his ability last time when rattling home to run 2.5 lengths third to Arden’s Horizon, reeling off the fastest closing 400 metres in 27.6.
His recovery was a feature of the race after he paced roughly on the home corner and dropped off the tail of the field by a couple of lengths.
“We’ve done a bit of vet work on him since - a hind ankle was bothering him. If he handles the corners he’ll be right there.”
“Smokinhotcheddar will need a bit of luck but at least from the inside of the second row she won’t get parked this time, which is where she’s been the last two races.
“She’s racing well and it would be nice to see her get a good trip.”
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.”
