Larry Lincoln scores on debut at Cambridge. He returns there on Wednesday night and gets the same handy draw.
Cambridge best: Larry’s a fast customer and just needed that fresh-up run
By Barry Lichter • 7 July 2020
With a run under his belt, expect the speedy pacer Larry Lincoln to be hard to beat at Cambridge on Wednesday night.
Lincoln Farms’ three-year-old meets a weaker field than the one he faced last week at Auckland when having his first race for nearly eight months.
And he has drawn perfectly in three, meaning new driver David Butcher should have no trouble finding the early lead.
Zachary Butcher, who is committed to his own horse Whisky Neat on Wednesday, never had to buzz up Larry Lincoln at the start at Alexandra Park, crossing untested from wide on the gate to lead, before taking a trail behind stablemate Man Of Action.
The Sweet Lou colt ran out of condition round the home bend after which Butcher didn’t push him.
Trainer Ray Green said Butcher reported he simply ran out of puff.
“You’d expect him to be right there this time. He’s a very capable horse who has quite a bit of speed.
“He doesn’t need to be gassed out of the gate - he probably burned too much petrol last time - and if he can find a nice trip, he’ll be very potent with his speed.
“They won’t go as fast as at Auckland (stablemate American Dealer clocked 2:43.4 for the 2200 metres) and of course he turned his debut at Cambridge into a demolition job.”
Larry Lincoln was sore and was spelled immediately afterwards, Green giving him plenty of time to get over his soft bones and growing pains.
While Apieceoflou (race three) didn’t flatter on debut at Auckland, when he was slow away then broke in the run home, Green is predicting a much better showing this time.
“He just didn’t know what to do when they kicked at Auckland last week but he’s trained on well since then and I think he’ll go well.”
David Butcher takes over the reins from Andrew Drake.
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
