Whiz On Bye (Zachary Butcher) unleashes a terrific sprint in the run home at Cambridge last Friday.
Whiz electric on Christmas Eve but he needs to pace better at Cambridge on Wednesday
By Barry Lichter • 28 December 2021
Whiz On Bye’s electric home stretch sprint at Cambridge on Christmas Eve gave a glimpse into the horse’s true ability.
And Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green says if the horse can do things right at Cambridge’s Wednesday twilight meeting, his form will take a dramatic improvement.
The American Ideal two-year-old might have come up a neck short last week but his recovery to make up half a dozen lengths in the last 200 metres didn’t go un-noticed.
After pacing roughly round the first turn and again at the 700 metres, Whiz On Bye was last to reach the 500 metre marker. And when he mixed his gait again turning for home, his chances looked forlorn.
It was a virtual carbon copy of his debut run at Auckland when he simply couldn’t get it together and dropped off the bunch while hopping and skipping like a real novice.
“He just needs to get his head around it,” Green said. “He’s a little unruly, a bit like Copy That used to be, but he’s quite promising.
“He was the best horse in the race last week, admittedly not racing against derby horses, but he should be hard to beat again if he does everything right.”
Green likes the fact Whiz On Bye has drawn one in the fourth ace, from where he’ll get his chance to lead out for new driver Maurice McKendry.
“If he can do that, he’ll be right in it.”
The chances are it will be stablemate Bet On The Tiger who comes calling for the front.
Last Friday driver Zachary Butcher used plenty of petrol to cross from the outside of the gate and lead on Bet On The Tiger.
On Wednesday he moves in to gate five, which should mean he can play for the top with far less effort, leaving him more oomph at the finish.
“I think he’s a great chance of being in the money,” Green said.
“I was really pleased with the way he went last week. He’s shown he can do it now and he’s getting better with each start.”
Major Grace … gets her chance to pay a dividend from the ace draw. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Major Grace, out of the money in all her seven starts at Auckland, gets her best chance to pay a dividend in the second race, drawn the ace against easier opposition.
“I doubt if anything will cross her. She hasn’t had the chance to run in front before and, if she can hold it, she’s a realistic chance.
“She’s very honest and they’re not a stellar bunch.”
Louie The Punter rounds out the night for Lincoln Farms in the seventh race, hampered only by a niggly six draw.
Though only fourth in his first try round Cambridge last week, Louie had to work very hard early to reach the front.
“He paced 2:41.9 and was still trying at the finish. But he set himself up to be beaten. If he didn’t pull quite so hard he’d be a chance.”
More news in Harness
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Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
