Ray: Little Leo’s under-rated and he can give them a hurry-up at Auckland on Friday night
Leo Lincoln might be the equal lowest rated horse in the field at Auckland on Friday night but he’s no forlorn hope, says trainer Ray Green.
Rated 47, the Art Major three-year-old takes on better performed rivals rated up to 61 in the ninth race at Alexandra Park but his recent efforts suggest he’s right up to the task.
“He’s an under-rated horse, as good as those others,” says Green.
“He’s proving to be a tidy horse and, while he’s not viewed as a serious player by some, I think he is. He was closing off really well last week behind Hugotastic.”
Three back on the markers, Leo came with a strong home stretch charge to be just three-quarters of a length away at the line, recording closing sectionals of 56.6 and 27.9, his overall clocking of the 2200 metres a slick 2:40.8.
Drawn well in two, Green can see Leo getting another cruisy run on the pegs and giving the 61-raters Skipper and Bad Medicine, both badly drawn, plenty to think about.
Green is not so confident of the Lincoln Farms’ pair Lincoln Lou and Sugar Ray Lincoln filling placings in the $110,000 Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes.
“Lincoln Lou is a beautiful little horse who doesn’t do anything wrong. He got held up at a crucial time last week and got home well (for sixth).
“He gets out pretty well so should get a good trip from two. He’ll go his usual honest race. He’s improving all the time, he’s a gutsy little guy, but whether he can measure up to the favourites remains to be seen.”
Green is doing no more than hope Sugar Ray Lincoln can do things right.
Last week Sugar Ray turned on another display reminiscent of the early version of his older brother Copy That when he mixed his gait in the opening stages and tailed the field by nearly 10 lengths.
“He’s a work in progress and we’re still dabbling with his gear,” Green said.
Sugar Ray struggled to get his head round tighter hopples last week, “trying to plait his legs”, and it wasn’t until the last 800 metres that he started pacing smoothly for driver Maurice McKendry.
His late charge, albeit in eighth place, nine lengths from winner Demon Blue, gave a hint of the ability under the bonnet.
“He’s actually a naturally good-gaited horse, like all the American Ideals, but he’s going through a stage of not really knowing why he’s out there.
“You just don’t know when he’ll click but three is an ideal draw for him and he should be handy if he does things right.”
With little in the immediate future to aim at, both two-year-olds will go for a spell after the race, says Green.
More news in Harness
Even some minor money would please Ray on what looks to be a tough night at Auckland
This morning’s work like the Nemo of old but Thursday’s draw is more than cruel
Ray: Little Leo’s no star but he’s the kind of horse everybody would love to own
It’s all up to Leo at Cambridge on Thursday night with Cove and Moose on the easy list
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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’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’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’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.”