Frisco Bay, second from left, finishes strongly last start after being held up early in the run home.
Even some minor money would please Ray on what looks to be a tough night at Auckland
By Barry Lichter • 15 May 2024
On a strong premier night card at Auckland, trainer Ray Green will be happy if he can pick up even some place money with Lincoln Farms’ four runners.
Friday night’s opening pair Obadiah Dragon and Frisco Bay are both handicapped by bad draws and, while Leo Lincoln and My Copy are both favoured on the gate, they will need to be at their very best to beat some talented opposition.
Obadiah Dragon comes to Auckland with no form in five previous starts on the course but with an eye-catching last start fourth to his credit.
Devoid of luck in the run home at Cambridge, the three-year-old was well into the stretch before driver Andre Poutama could ease him clear wide on the track.
“He got going only in the last few yards at Cambridge and picked them up real quick,” Green said. “He got home better than the winner (stablemate Leo Lincoln).
“He’s a nicer horse than people think. He’s a much stronger individual than he was and looks to be on the cusp of being in the zone.”
From his awkward draw of seven, however, in a near capacity field, Green says Obadiah Dragon will need plenty of luck.
“But as long as he doesn’t have to do too much work, he’ll get home well.”
Frisco Bay has placed only twice at Auckland in seven starts but both of those thirds held merit, the three-year-old powering home from the rear on the home turn. Held up early in the run home last start, he showed nice pick-up when finally able to pierce through the pack.
“But I can’t label him from four on the second row in a nice field. He’ll need to fluke a really good trip to threaten.”
Green said he wasn’t too worried about a lacklustre workout by the horse last Saturday when he dropped out after trailing.
“I drove him myself on Tuesday and he didn’t feel bad. But we have had a bit of a virus round lately, which can dull them a bit. A couple have come back in with high heart rates after doing nothing.”
Leo Lincoln returns to Auckland after an excellent last start win over Irish Whispers at Cambridge. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Leo Lincoln and My Copy are the two lowest rated horses in the third race, hence their one and two draws, and Green says they’ll need all favours.
“It’s a handy bunch of horses so you could say I’m hopeful rather than confident.
“Leo has drawn one a few times and hasn’t shown a lot of gate speed but he should get out well enough to land a handy trip.
“I wouldn’t say he can’t win but I wouldn’t label him. I’m hoping he can run in the first three or four.”
Green says My Copy, a four-time winner at Auckland, is in career best form but will need a perfect trip.
“He needs to stay handy without spending too much petrol. He follows speed well but we’ll be relying on luck.”
Luck wasn’t on My Copy’s side last start at Cambridge when the horse he was following died on its run and he was pushed four wide round the home turn.
“That cost him two or three lengths so it was a better run than it looked.”
Charging to the line, My Copy got withing 1.2 lengths of winner The Mighty Sully in fourth place.
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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.
