Sugar Ray Lincoln has the better of Shake A Leg at Auckland in June. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Better set-up at Auckland on Friday night for Sugar Ray to produce that knockout punch
By Barry Lichter • 25 September 2024
A good draw and a small field should help Sugar Ray Lincoln show his best at Auckland on Friday night.
That’s the view of Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green who has watched the two-year-old battle bravely in recent starts with little luck.
Copy That’s little brother has been forced to make wide runs round big fields in his recent racing, drawing six, seven, seven and seven in four of his last five starts.
“They soon get sick of that,” said Green of the overland trips.
“He just hasn’t been able to put himself in a good spot but with a half decent trip from two on Friday I think he can finish in the top three.”
Despite launching four wide 600 metres from home in a Sires’ Stakes heat last time, Sugar Ray Lincoln recorded the fastest third quarter of 27.2 before battling on for seventh. And that was after being nearly KOed by stablemate Lincoln Lou on the first bend.
When put into the race in his previous start, after drawing three in another Sires’ Stakes heat, Sugar Ray sat parked for the last lap and still hung in there for fourth behind Captain Sampson, Lincoln Lou and Confederate, clocking 55.9 and 27.3 on the way home.
With the suspension of regular driver Maurice McKendry, the job of finding the best trip round on Friday night falls to David Butcher but he has all the options from two on the gate.
And, while he takes on older horses this time, Sugar Ray has only five rivals, including fellow two-year-old Runkle Crunch.
Frisco Bay, who has come back in fine form this preparation, winning two of his four starts, faces a much tougher test in the sixth race.
The three-year-old sat in the trail last start when winning a rating 43 to 50 event but advances this time to a rating 53 to 64 field which is full of in-form, progressive types.
“It will be a good test for him. He’s got to front up to these horses now but given another soft trip I think he can be competitive.”
With Zachary Butcher preferring to drive the Purdon/Phelan runner Always B Elite, and Andre Poutama behind Blazing Louie, the seat will be warmed this week by champion reinsman Tony Herlhy.
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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.
