Tommy Lincoln (Andre Poutama), outer, gets the better of stablemate The Empress (Zachary Butcher) at Auckland in June. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.
Big Tommy Lincoln sure to strip fitter so will be dangerous from the pole on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 30 October 2019
Trainer Ray Green expects Tommy Lincoln to be dangerous from the pole despite facing some up-and-coming rivals at Auckland on Friday night.
Tommy Lincoln is the lowest graded in the rating 57 to 63 seventh race, Green having already scratched stablemate The Empress because of her bad draw.
But the race is no harder than the one he faced fresh-up at Alexandra Park last Friday when Green “threw him in the deep end” in the Sires’ Stakes heat.
Big Tommy might have run only sixth, but Green was plenty happy with his performance considering he had not raced for four months and winner Line Up recorded a fast 1:54.4 mile.
The American Ideal three-year-old, after being given a perfect one-one sit by Andre Poutama, was under pressure turning for home but, in typical style, fought on bravely, and lost fourth only in the last 100 metres.
Tommy Lincoln ended up 5.2 lengths from the winner and paced the mile in 1:55.4, a fine first-up effort.
Green quite rightly predicted Tommy Lincoln would need the run last week and when asked if he’s still a run away, Green replied: “Who knows? He’ll obviously keep improving but he should go well, especially from the good draw.”
While overall the opposition is no tougher than last week, he does bash heads this time with the promising Barry Purdon-trained Henry Hu.
Tommy Lincoln, however, has shown he has plenty of mettle too, proving the real late season find for Lincoln Farms as a two-year-old, stringing together a hat-trick of wins, taking each step up with aplomb.
David Butcher, who won on the horse in May, takes the reins on Friday night.
Trainer Ray Green with Bettor My Dreamz. PHOTO: Joel Gillan/Race Images.Butcher is also behind Lincoln Farms’ only other runner on Friday, Bettor My Dreamz, in the sixth race.
The Bettor’s Delight four-year-old finally gets a draw to work with, as a result of being a rating 66 horse in a rating 66 to 90 field.
In his last three starts he’s been in weaker fields but consequentially was saddled with barriers 13, seven and seven.
He had no chance last week when five deep on the markers in Wainui Creek’s 1:54.9 mile but wasn’t far from the prize when second to Delightful Major and fourth to Ball Of Art in his two starts before that.
“At least he’ll be in the race this time,” says Green. “But he really needs to go down a grade.”
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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.
