Harness archive
- Hot trial shows Tommy Lincoln’s back and ready to stake do-or-die claim for ID23 10 November 2023
- Wide draw against Frankie but Ray and Zac continue to be impressed by his improvement 8 November 2023
- Argyle deserves a win, Nemo too, as Mark rues how bad daws have undermined the formlines 3 November 2023
- Ray makes good cases for both Sam and Frankie to push the faves on Thursday night 31 October 2023
- Argyle up to testing them even from a wide alley at Albion Park on Saturday night 26 October 2023
- Lenny’s no rock star but he’s drawn to tune them up at Cambridge on Friday night 25 October 2023
- Frankie Major’s high speed and stamina impresses Zachary and Ray at Auckland 20 October 2023
- Frustrated Mark on those draws: Too tough for Nemo and Argyle’s likely to have to sit parked 19 October 2023
- ATC $78 million in debt, and counting, but still committed to relocating training centre 18 October 2023
- Whale watching trip to Kaikoura planned for consistent Simply Sam - and then it’s cup day 17 October 2023
- ‘Dobbie’, a harness racing icon, finds finishing line on the morning of his 90th birthday 16 October 2023
- Captain Nemo needs only a little luck to be Topping his rivals at Albion Park tonight 13 October 2023
- So far, so good, says Ray on Copy That - first round of X-ray follow-ups show no change 12 October 2023
- Ray: Andre’s on our two best chances at Cambridge on Thursday but we’ll need luck 11 October 2023
- Thanks Tommy, we needed that after a week from hell - Debbie Green on that photo finish 8 October 2023
- Good draw gives Argyle a chance to secure sweet trip and go back-to-back on Saturday 6 October 2023
- Ray brings Copy That home but his future is guarded - the next six weeks will be crucial 5 October 2023
- You’ve got to follow Zachary’s lead again so Jolimont gets the nod over Frankie Major 5 October 2023
- X-rays continue on Copy That’s knee injury and MRI scan in Canterbury a possibility 4 October 2023
- Scintigraphy reveals knee injury but Copy That having X-rays now to confirm exact issue 3 October 2023
- Vets investigating Copy That’s lameness and Merv’s Sharp ‘N’ Smart in the wars too 3 October 2023
- Captain Nemo running fast sectionals and just needs some luck from dreaded outside draw 2 October 2023
- Argyle sails home to win at Albion Park but it’s been far from plain sailing for Mark 29 September 2023
- Zachary gives Frankie Major the thumbs up in class drop at Cambridge on Thursday night 26 September 2023
- Copy That not a starter for Interdominions: neither Ray nor Merv keen on brutal series 26 September 2023
- Sizzling sectional times tell the real story about Copy That’s Spring Cup performance 22 September 2023
- Copy That fitter but money pours in for Nicholas Cage in Friday’s Spring Cup 21 September 2023
- Argyle’s foot looking better but Mark will be happy to see him just hit the line on Friday 21 September 2023
- Copy That undone by pork belly but Ray has two months before the cup to find those ribs 15 September 2023
- Mark calls for conservative tactics this time with bulky Captain Nemo at Albion Park 14 September 2023
- Expect microscopic odds on Copy That on Thursday but you can get $7.50 for the cup 12 September 2023
- Copy That should have the wood on his rivals in Thursday night’s flying mile at Auckland 9 September 2023
- Penny drops for Major Achievement as loyal Lincoln Farms’ bunch cheers him home 9 September 2023
- Improved work by Frankie Major hints he could be ready to show us more on Thursday 5 September 2023
- Up periscope! The real Captain Nemo surfaces and he’s primed for Albion Park on Tuesday 4 September 2023
- Copy That thrills - Ray: He can win another $1m this year; Maurice: He’ll win another cup 1 September 2023
- ‘Quirky’ Sam finally delivers his best - could we see him in the cup come November? 31 August 2023
- Lincoln River top bet at Auckland on Thursday but newcomer Frisco Bay one to follow 29 August 2023
- Lincoln Farms’ team struck by bug but this one looks OK to rocknroll at Cambridge 22 August 2023
- Battle stations for Captain Nemo at last but all main vents won’t be opened just yet 21 August 2023
- No luck for Blair as Dutch champion Ebbinge staves off late charge by Canadian 19 August 2023
- No joy for Blair in Belgium but move by Aussie Pete McMullen gives him a Hail Mary show 17 August 2023
- Blair jumps to fourth after first winner in Europe - and shrugs off interviewer’s gaffe 16 August 2023
- Exciting The Big Lebowski damages a tendon - Merv’s dream of a NZ Cup quinella over 15 August 2023
- Ray: Simply Sam’s sizzling sectionals say he’s the best of the team on Thursday night 15 August 2023
- Our Blair off to a slow start at world champs but watch him go close on Jagger 14 August 2023
- Cambridge dead-heat gives Andre his 300 and more time for brave Leo Lincoln to furnish 11 August 2023
- Drop in class and draw upgrade points to Leo Lincoln earning a cheque at Cambridge 8 August 2023
- Frankie Major’s speed and ace draw a winning formula at Auckland on Thursday night 1 August 2023
- Ray: Sam looks like he’s back to his best but it’s not as Simple as that - small fields a trap 26 July 2023
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Debbie Lincoln
5.26pm
“She had to sit parked most of the way last time but still went well, and that’s what she does. She’s proven to be a very promising filly and, while it’s hard these days to win without a good trip, it’s an even field and she’s a good chance again.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lou
5.55pm
“He probably cost himself a win last week by going roughly, but he can do that. If he’d got Frisco Bay’s trip he would have won with his closing quarters of 56 and 27 the fastest in the race. He’s just got to do things right to be the one to beat, even from the bad draw, as it’s an easier field.”
Race 5: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“He’s up in grade a bit but I don’t think there’s anything between them. He’s just got to get the right run and, with his speed, he’ll be right in it.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.59pm
“He’s no superstar but he’s very honest and he’s always a place chance as he’s a tough bugger, he sat parked last week.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.59pm
“With a similar run to last week, he’d be right in it. He clocked 55.8 and 27.7, doing his best work at the finish. He hasn’t gone a bad race since he’s come back.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.59pm
“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything on debut as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion. And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him. From the inside he has to be a good chance.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.59pm
“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time. She’s got some speed.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.59pm
“She’s a nice filly but is behind the others. I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.59pm
“There won’t be any shadows for her to jump this time so she has to be a serious chance. She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.59pm
“Fergie was quite impressed with him on debut and requested the drive again. He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 3: Argyle
9.04pm NZ time
“I thought his last two starts have been terrific. There’s no doubt this race is tougher, and he has trickier draw, but I was talking to Angus last night and he was quite upbeat about his chances. He said the horse gave him a good feel when he sat parked two starts back and he picked him too (in the draft). But it won’t be easy. There could be a bit of pressure early. I think he’ll come out and see what unfolds and, if there is too much pressure, he’ll drive him quietly.”
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“You can put a line through her last run at Cambridge when she pulled up showing signs of a respiratory infection. She had a couple of weeks off after that and, while she hasn’t trialled since, she’s been training down nicely. She’s a nice filly and from the good draw should really win.”
Race 3: Lincoln La Moose
6.19pm
“He wasn’t far away in the amateur race at Auckland last time despite jumping a shadow early and galloping. This is a decent drop in class for him and he should be very competitive.