Ears exposed but don’t let Tyson bite you on debut at Cambridge on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 3 July 2024
Trainer Ray Green isn’t expecting Tyson to deliver a knockout blow when he debuts at Cambridge on Friday night.
But at the same time he warns not to take any notice of the colt’s poor trial at Alexandra Park early last month when he tailed the field home by nearly 10 lengths.
Green, who races the two-year-old with breeder Pat Laboyrie, says he made a mistake trying the colt in a Hidez compression hood at Auckland.
The headgear which covers the ears and is lined with 3mm neoprene to reduce sound, as well as applying compression to acupressure and endorphin release points, is designed to calm nervy horses.
“It did that all right, he went to sleep in it,” Green said.
Tyson showed much more fight when trialled a second time at Pukekohe 12 days ago, leading his only rival Miki Doo over 2050 metres and clearing out to score by seven and a quarter lengths.
That franked the improvement Tyson had shown in three earlier workouts, giving Green hope he would make the grade.
“He was basically broken in and gaited and turned out for a long time but he’s coming along nicely now.
“He’s a good pacer and I think he’ll end up quite a nice horse.”
A good-looking Art Major colt, Tyson is out of 13-race winner Helena Jet and is a brother to the speedy Nicholas Cage who won six races here, taking a scalp over Akuta and Copy That in the Founders Cup, before being sold to Australia, where he has won another three races at Menangle.
“The raw ability is there. He just needs nurturing a bit,” Green said.
“There are lots of firsts he has to overcome on Friday night - first time under lights, first time in a full field, first trip away from home - but I think he’ll handle it well as he seems sensible.”
Green said Tyson would need luck from three on the second row in a field of relatively inexperienced older rivals.
Lincoln Farms’ only other runner Commander Lincoln should get all favours from two on the gate in the sixth race.
Fourth in an amateur race on the course last start, Commander Lincoln found himself snookered back on the pegs but was doing his best work late when clear.
“It was another honest run - there were plenty in there who didn’t go as well - and he’ll get one eventually but you couldn’t predict when that will be.
“He tries hard but just lacks a bit of ability.”
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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.
