Dr Green goes to work on mentally fragile Tyson hoping to pen better script for Friday
By Barry Lichter • 24 July 2024
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green doesn’t claim to be a psychologist but he’s resorted to some exposure therapy on Tyson this week.
And Green is hoping it will make all the difference when he lines up the fast but fearful two-year-old in the final race at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
Tyson, who has taken heavy support in all three of his races this month, blew it again at Cambridge last Friday when he showed a strong aversion to the mobile gate.
“He wouldn’t go up to the gate, for some reason he’s terrified of it. Zac (Butcher) had a job getting him within 50 metres of it.”
Despite being several lengths out of position on dispatch after galloping in the score-up, Butcher pressed foward, only to gallop again on the turn out of the straight.
“When the horse saw the mobile on the outside of the track he nearly knocked himself over in fright.”
In order to solve what Green described as a “mental problem”, he exposed Tyson to the mobile gate in training at Pukekohe yesterday, hoping to desensitive him.
“We just schooled him behind the gate for a round so he could go up to it and have a look and we’ll probably do it again on Thursday.
“It’s just a colty thing but ideally we’d like to fix it and help him get over it before Friday.
“He should be one of the favourites in that last race. The raw ability is there and he’ll definitely win races as he has a bit of speed.
“How far he will take us we have yet to find out but I thought he did really well last time given the run he had.”
After galloping out to the rear of the field, Butcher wasted no time in “smoking” round to the leaders, only to find the front wasn’t there for him.
Despite sitting parked for the last lap just when Butcher thought Tyson was going to give up, he picked up again.
“Zac said in the end he was looking for a gap up the home straight, which never came, and he ended up a close fifth.”
Tyson has only five rivals to beat on Friday night, with the early scratching of Carrera Hombre and, from three on the gate, Dr Green is hoping to see some dramatic improvement from his patient.
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Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
4.59pm
“He’s racing well and I can’t fault him. The opposition is stronger this time but I can’t see why he won’t go another good race.”
Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
5.59pm
“She’s a good, tough mare. It depends on the trip you get in these sort of races but she loves it when they run hard and she can get some of the money.”
Race 3: Ultimate Cullect
5.59pm
“We haven’t had a lot of time to assess her yet. From the one drive I’ve had on her she doesn’t strike me as a sit-sprinter. But if they go hard, hopefully she’ll get home well.”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
6.57pm
“It’s a “brutal” race but she’s drawn to get a suck along and hopefully she can last well enough for a cheque.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.29pm
“There are a few in there that are better than him but he has a handicap advantage and, if he gets a good trip, he could get some of it. He steps well and his driver reckoned he would have won last week if he’d got the run at the right time.”
Race 10: Sammy Lincoln
9.23pm
“I can’t imagine him being beaten - they’d have to knock him over. He’s very fast and in case he has to move quickly early we’ll use the shorteners. I can’t see any problem with him going left-handed - he’s probably better that way.”
Race 11: Rivergirl Bella
9.54pm
“She’s honest and will try hard.”
