Governor’s Bay (Zachary Butcher) is steering perfectly as he trails Ideal Star in today’s workout at Pukekohe.
Zac’s laughing as Ray’s gear tweak works wonders for Governor’s Bay
By Barry Lichter • 30 March 2019
“We’re laughing Ray.’’
Zachary Butcher’s initial reaction to the way Governor’s Bay trialled at Pukekohe today said it all.
Trainer Ray Green has been tinkering with the incredible hulk’s gear since he won first-up for the stable at Auckland, trying to stop him from locking badly on one rein.
And today, wearing blinkers and a Murphy blind over his right eye, Governor’s Bay steered brilliantly for Butcher when running second to Ideal Star in a 2050 metre heat for rating 62 and faster pacers.
“He was perfect,” driver Zachary Butcher tells trainer Ray Green after today’s workout.“He was perfect and I only sat on him,’’ Butcher reported as he handed over the reins on the impressive looking five-year-old.
Butcher was impressed by the speed Governor’s Bay showed out of the gate to lead, before taking a trail behind Ideal Star.
But it was the way the horse travelled in the running, and the ease of which he closed on the leader on a slashing 26.5 last quarter that was best of all.
“I think he’ll step up,’’ said Butcher of Governor’s Bay, who advanced to a 62 rating with his March 22 win in rating 40-55 grade.
Governor’s Bay, clocked to run his last 800 metres in 57.7 went down by only half a length to Ideal Star, who is a rating 71 pacer with four wins to his credit for trainer John and Josh Dickie.
The pair ran the trip in 2:33.9, a good mile rate of 2:01.6, with three lengths to Karmic Way, now with Robert Dunn, and another two lengths to Arna Donnelly’s Baquero.
Green was chuffed to see how much the horse had improved since his first run in the north, and that he is holding his condition so well.
“He’s been well vetted in the past down south and probably has a few little issues but nothing that we can’t manage.’’
Just like after his race last week, Governor’s Bay had a good blow, Green noting he was quite a thick winded horse.
Craig Sharpe brings Hilary Barry back to the stable after her win at Pukekohe today.Hilary beats the boys
Hilary Barry showed more like her true ability when dashing up the markers to beat the boys in the two-year-old heat over 2050 metres.
Driver Craig Sharpe had the filly third in the five-horse field and when Todd MacFarlane came out of the trail on Harvey Specter across the top bend to challenge he salooned up the inner to grab leader Thumbs Up (Butcher) by half a head.
“She knocked off the last bit,’’ says Sharpe. “But I didn’t knock her around. We only went 32.5 down the back and she travelled well the whole way.’’
Green said Hilary Barry was better than her form suggested - “They’ve broken records in most of the races she’s been in (behind Sweet On Me).
“When she gets into a maiden she’ll be quite competitive.’’
Hilary Barry clocked 2:42.7 for the heat, a mile rate of 2:07.7, with closing sectionals of 61.5 and 28.3.
Sir Tiger is last of the five-horse field at Pukekohe today, with Hilary Barry running third.The eye-catching run behind Hilary Barry was undoubtedly that of stablemate Sir Tiger, who came from last on the home turn to finish third, only a length behind the first pair.
“He got to the line very strongly,’’ said driver Andre Poutama.
Poutama reported the horse was getting in a little and Green will combat this in his next race with a pole.
Green suspects Sir Tiger might have to contest a maiden soon too, given the lack of two-year-olds racing, and the fact his race was canned last week.
“He’s a lovely horse, a proper racehorse.’’
Just Wing It (Tony Cameron) is travelling well in third spot shortly before throwing in a gallop at Pukekohe today.Just Wing It, who has done nothing wrong in four starts for Green since being sent north by owner Merv Butterworth, made his first mistake in the rating 54-56 2050 metre heat.
The horse was travelling well early for stand-in driver Tony Cameron, then inexplicably broke on the stables corner.
He was out the back by the time he settled down and while he paced well to the finish he was well behind the first three home in a photo finish, Starry Star, Big On Personality and To Sir With Love.
More news in Harness
The dream’s alive but Nate tells why he’ll wait for ‘Harry’ before racing Eric again
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?
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
“He 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.”
