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Out on his own at the finish, Lincoln La Moose surprised with his toughness. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.

Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry

Trainer Ray Green admits he was quite surprised when Lincoln La Moose ran away for an easy win on debut at Cambridge.

But, while the three-year-old steps up in company at Auckland on Friday night, Green believes he can go on with the good form.

“When they’re having their first start you never know quite what they’ll do but I wasn’t expecting him to race so tough.”

Lincoln La Moose, for so long too delicate to push, galloped round the first turn, going back to share the rear before driver Andre Poutama was forced to let him run at the 1600 because “he was over-racing like a loose cannon.”

Despite having to sit parked, Lincoln La Moose cleared right out from T Bone Walker in the run home to score by three and three-quarter lengths in a very respectable 2:42.6.

“He seems to be one of those horses who puts their best foot forward when the money is up,” Green said.

“Right-handed shouldn’t bother him and he’d have to be in it again from the good draw.”

Green gave the Art Major colt a blow-out at the Pukekohe trials last Thursday given he won’t have raced for a month - and he liked what he saw.

Last at the 400, Lincoln La Moose unwound strongly for Poutama to finish only a length and a half from winner Sunshine Shelby on a 28.9 final quarter.

Speedy Debbie

Two-year-old Debbie Lincoln, who debuts from the pole in the Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night, also caught the eye at the same trials meeting.

Out fast from the inside draw, she set up a big early lead on five Steve and Amanda Telfer-trained babies and fought strongly in the run home, bowing only late to Iron Heart.

“She has a lot of ability but that’s the first time she’s got round without galloping. If she can do that again I’ll be happy.

“She’s a little bit nervy but we seem to be getting on top of that.”

Green said he was not expecting the Lather Up filly to beat the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained favourites given how much she has to learn.

“But I think she’ll be a tidy filly when she develops further. She’s certainly got the speed.”

Leo Lincoln paced under 2:40 at Cambridge last start. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Leo Lincoln paced under 2:40 at Cambridge last start. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Leo Lincoln, the third runner for Lincoln Farms on Friday night, won no friends with his trial last Thursday, finishing sixth and well behind Duchess Megxit. But Green said he was prepared to forgive the run given he was only there for a hit-out and the top class filly dashed her last quarter in 26.5.

Leo Lincoln is the lowest rated horse in the R48 to R60 race but as a consequence gets the inside draw, an identical scenario to his last start at Cambridge.

And, from the trail that night he bowed only late to brilliant finisher Little Spike and Vessem, running a blistering 2:39.6.

“He’ll go well again,” Green said.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Les Harding

Les Harding

Monday at Globe Derby

Race 7: Beaudiene Rocknroll
7.29pm NZ time

He’s been working well and has taken benefit from his first-up run, when he was attacked mercilessly in front. Scratchings bring him in to three on the gate from where he can hopefully lead or, at worst, trail if Celestical Zodiac adopts his usual pattern and stays in front. Boss Major is the biggest danger.

Mark Dux

Mark Dux’s comments

Thursday at Albion Park

Race 8: Captain Nemo
5.43pm NZ time

“He felt like the old Nemo when he worked today. He dashed up nicely, and wanted to do it, and that’s when you know he’s feeling all right. But we won’t be out there to make something happen from the second row. We’ll drive him cold and, if we have some luck, great. It’s not a super hard field, and I could see him finishing really strongly.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Thursday night at Cambridge

Race 2: Commander Lincoln
6.04pm

“He’s honest enough and you have to consider him an each-way chance given the sort of horses he’s racing against.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 1: Obadiah Dragon
5.32pm

“He’s drawn awkwardly in a capacity field so he’ll need a lot of luck. But, as long as he doesn’t have to do too much work, he’ll get home well. He’s a nicer horse than people think.”

Race 1: Frisco Bay
5.32pm

“I thought he went really well last time but I can’t label him from four on the second row in a nice field. He’ll need to fluke a really good trip to threaten.”

Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.30pm

“It’s a handy bunch of horses so you could say I’m hopeful rather than confident. He’s drawn one a few times and hasn’t shown a lot of gate speed but he should get out well enough to land a handy trip. I’m hoping he can run in the first three or four.”

Race 3: My Copy
6.30pm

“He’s in career best form but will need a perfect trip. He needs to stay handy without spending too much petrol. He follows speed well but we’ll be relying on luck.”

Dan Costello Race Photography