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
Friday night at Auckland
Leo Lincoln, Spiritual Bliss, Missy Lincoln, Lincoln Wave, Johnny Lincoln.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
