Tommy Lincoln staves off Star Galleria and Dance Time to score his seventh win at Auckland. PHOTO: Megan Leifting/Race Images.
Everyone loves Tommy but soon he’s going to be mere cannon fodder for the big guns
By Barry Lichter • 31 October 2020
Tommy Lincoln’s owners have enjoyed a great ride this year but trainer Ray Green knows that inevitably it has to come to an end.
Tommy’s upset win over Star Galleria at Auckland on Friday night brought to four the number of races he’s won at Alexandra Park this year.
And he did it in typically Tommy style, his end-to-end take no prisoners MO seeing him hold off the red hot favourite by half a length in a 1:54.4 mile.
But with a career tally of seven wins and $71,465, Tommy now has a rating in the mid 70s and Green knows that, sadly, the wins will now get much fewer and far between.
“It’s an unfortunate fact that once horses like him get up in the grades they end up cannon fodder for the ones like Copy That and Self Assured.”
Tommy also was limited by his inability to stick out 2700 metres, he said.
“He’s hard to beat on the front end over a sprint, if he draws well, but he’s not strong enough to cope with anything further than 2200 metres. The 2700 metre stands find him out.
“He really needs to be sold as the longer he goes, the less he’ll be worth.
“He’d be great in the States. If you had a horse like him, racing at Yonkers, with his gate speed you’d get a living off him.”
The balancing act Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street have to play is that they also have loyalty to their partners in the horse and have so far repelled any offers.
Gentleman Tommy Lincoln lowers his head for a pat from first time owner Debbie Sparks and her niece Lara after an earlier win.The joy the gang are experiencing was obvious in the winners’ bar on Friday night when John Street gifted the trophy to one woman who has yet to lay eyes on the horse.
Along with Ray Menzies, Shannon and Brenda Flay, Dennis Ebert and Ian Middleton, members of the Parkinson and Sparks syndicate also idolise the horse.
Last night it was the turn of Ian and Kathy Parkinson’s daughter Linda to keep the wine glasses. She wasn’t there to accept them as she lives in Sydney, but she is said to be determined to get home to watch Tommy race when COVID-19 allows it.
Bred by Lincoln Farms, from its former mare Tania Tandias who also produced good winners Lincoln Road and Lincoln’s Girl, Tommy Lincoln had no trouble crossing the pole runner On A Roll on Friday night.
And, with driver David Butcher gifted a 29 second third quarter, he had plenty left in the tank for the late challenges of Star Galleria, who sat parked, and Dance Time, reeling off closing sectionals of 55.4 and 26.5.
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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.
