Bug takes Lincoln Farms babies out and Cambridge has snotty noses and coughs too
By Barry Lichter • 1 February 2022
The annual round of bugs has hit northern stables with Lincoln Farms forced to withdraw Frankie Major, Lincoln River and Beaudiene Rocknroll from racing at Auckland on Thursday night.
And further south in Cambridge, snotty noses and coughs are also appearing, Nicky Chilcott taking out talented trotter Sacred Mountain from her engagement at Alexandra Park after she was scoped and was full of mucous.
Co-trainer Andrew Drake says he noticed all was not well with the two-year-olds before they were due to work this morning and he called a vet to check them out.
“Nearly all the horses on the farm have crusty noses now. Superfast Ninja isn’t that bad yet but I might end up having to scratch her too.
“It happens every year with the heat and the dust. Hopefully it will last only a short time and the two-year-olds will be good to go next week.” A $20,000 Young Guns heat is carded on Magic Millions night, Saturday February 12.
Drake says at least the two-year-old’s symptoms appeared before the races, rather than having them perform below their best, which is what happened to some of the team at Cambridge last week.
“We found after his race that Bet On The Tiger had a virus.”
Just 79 horses are carded to run at Auckland on Thursday night.
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Leo Lincoln close to a win: Watch how he copped it early last time at Manawatu
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Fergie tips
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 1: What’s Up The Hill
4.14pm
“That was a big improvement on Sunday and I thought he’d won. I suggested they put a loose headcheck on him after his last start and that definitely helped. He’ll be a chance again on Tuesday, as long as he backs up, and he seemed pretty relaxed after the race.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
4.39pm
“Blinkers go on this time and, from one, it looks to be his best chance. I’ll be coming out fast and trying to lead and the way he felt on the first day, and with the make-up of the field, I think he can. It’s taken a few runs to get him sharper this time in, he’s been a bit lacklustre, but he’s ready to go now.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
5.29pm
“She might have run only fourth on the first day but went massive really. If she can just be one place closer in the running, she would go close.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Sugar Ray Lincoln
4.38pm
“He’s trained on well and on his best form, he’d be hard to beat. But I don’t know what to expect from him, he’s a hard horse to read.”
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
4.38pm
“She can’t win. She’s only in the race because there’s nowhere else to go at the moment. She’s in a very unfair spot in the ratings.”
Race 5: Lincoln La Moose
6.53pm
“He’s very honest and from one he’ll get a nice trip, which will help, but he’s really just going round to lose rating points.”
Race 10: Lincoln Linda
9.24pm
“On her speed alone she has to be a chance. We’ve got her geared up so she’s not trying to kill herself any more. We’re using a different bit which gives the driver more control over her and she’s submitted to it well in training.”
Race 10: Angelic Copy
9.24pm
“She had a minor tie-up earlier in the week but I’m not too worried as she’s bouncing around today. We get her blood test back on Thursday, and we won’t risk her if she’s not right, but if she lines up, she’ll race pretty well. She’s a proper little racehorse and you can’t fault what she’s done.”
