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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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.”
