Whiz On Bye has drawn to show his Auckland debut run was all wrong. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Two recent workout wins show Whiz On Bye much better than his inglorious debut
By Barry Lichter • 22 December 2021
Whiz On Bye hardly knew where to put his feet on debut at Alexandra Park last month, beating only a couple home and finishing 25 lengths from the winner.
But Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green reckons it’s best to simply put the line through that run when assessing his chances at Cambridge on Christmas Eve.
“He’s a work in progress but from his good barrier draw (three) he looks the best of our four chances,” says Green.
“He’s a typical American Ideal - they take a few starts to find their feet - and he’s getting better and better.”
Green says the two-year-old colt has been training and trialling much better since his inglorious debut, when he worked hard to find the death seat then paced very roughly at various intervals, losing contact with the pack.
Whiz On Bye has won both his workouts in the interim, posting a useful mile rate of 2:03 in the latest on December 11 when he led throughout for Andrew Drake to beat Tuscon Tiger and American Legacy.
“He’s a chance if he races up to that form,” Green said.
Whiz On Bye, who will be driven by Zachary Butcher on Friday, has the bloodlines to eventually make an impact being out of the family of dual New Zealand Cup winner Il Vicolo.
His dam Vivacious Madonna is a half sister to Stunin Cullen (19 wins), Coburg (10 wins) and Temepara Cullen (5 wins).
Green is looking for an improved showing from Nirvana Franco (race two) whom he admits has been disappointing.
Ruunner-up on debut at Cambridge in August she has hasn’t had the best of luck in three subsequent starts.
“But she still hasn’t lived up to her earlier promise. She hasn’t shown us yet what she feels like in training.”
Nirvana Franco got herself into a hopeless position early last start at Auckland after pacing roughly and breaking briefly on the first bend.
She was doing her best work late for fifth, pacing the fastest last quarter in the race, albeit only 31.3.
The opposition is easier on Friday but she will still need luck from six on the gate.
Bet On The Tiger has his first try left-handed on Friday. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Bet On The Tiger has fared even worse in the barrier draw for race six, on the outside of the front line.
“It won’t be easy from out there but he’s been training and trialling very well left-handed.
“He’ll go an honest race.”
From five, Green is hoping Louie The Punter can cross and make the front in the 11th race.
“If he made the front he’d be a chance. He tends to pull a bit hard when he doesn’t and he’s not a nice horse to drive when he’s parked.
“He’ll need a bit of luck against Cran Dalgety’s two-year-old Casino Action.”
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Spirit Of God
5.44pm
“She’s definitely a chance as she has enough speed. The raw ability is there and I’m sure she’s as good as any of them ability wise. You can forget she went round at Auckland last week as she locked wheels 600 out.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“There’s not a lot between her and Spirit Of God. The other filly is probably a bit fitter than Jessie but she worked well today and I think she’ll be very competitive. It depends on what sort of run she gets (from eight).”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.39pm
“I can’t label her as a betting proposition from the draw, and in a tougher field, but you can never discount her as you know she’ll put herself in the race. You saw what she did last week - it doesn’t matter where she draws, she’ll launch.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Marylynes Boy
5.56pm
“Last week’s run was a non-event but he went well on debut. He’d have to be a shot, drawn the inside.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.57pm
“It’s a shame he hasn’t had more economical trips - he’s had some tough runs - and keeps going good races. He should go well again.”
Race 4: Lincoln Wave
6.57pm
“He burned himself out early in the derby. There was no race for him last week but he’s training well and should be right in it. His best races have been on the front end.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.56pm
“She’s got the draw and will lead out but she’s no match for Sammy Lincoln and looks better placed at Cambridge.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.56pm
“I think he’s turned the corner and can go on with the job. He will have gained a lot in confidence from last week’s win. We haven’t really tried him out of the gate but he’s a good horse who is improving all the time.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.56pm
“He pulled too hard when caught back on the markers last week. He’s got the same inside second row draw so we’ve taken the blinds off or he’d over-race again. When he draws a (good) gate we’ll put them back on again. Obviously he’s best on the front end.”
