Tommy Lincoln (white saddlecloth) powers home for a close fourth last start.
Forget the form line, our brave Tommy’s running sensational sectionals in Brisbane
By Barry Lichter • 1 December 2022
Don’t make the mistake of thinking Tommy Lincoln isn’t racing well in Queensland.
He might have won only one race there in the last 12 months but week-in-and-week-out he’s running times comparable to his free-for-all rivals.
His run for fourth two weeks ago at Albion Park was typical of his last 10 starts, says trainer Mark Dux, who estimates he’s been averaging a mile rate of 1:53.
Three back on the markers, Tommy Lincoln came with a strong burst when clear, clocking 54.29 for his last 800 and 26.19 for his final 400. His splits were faster than winner Bigger Wheels, who rated 1:52.6, and only third-placed Will The Wizard ran fractionally faster over the final 400.
“He’s actually going really well without winning,” says Dux. “His sectionals are sensational. They stack up with any of them.”
With the times so fast, Dux says it all comes down to barrier draws and where you end up in the running.
“I thought they’d go hard down the back last time but after she (Chantal Turpin) went down the back in only 28.1 and home in 26.3 we had no chance of running her down.”
So, how does Tommy’s race stack up on Saturday night?
Drawn four in the six-horse field, Tommy won’t be leading, with fast beginner and former Lincoln Farms’ war horse Northview Hustler drawn immediately inside him.
“If Alistair’s (Barnes) horse wants to hold them he can - he was only just run down the other night (by Mach Da Vinci over 2138m).”
Dux says the outside two horses, Big Wheels and Uncle Shank, will surely go forward.
If pressured, Hustler’s trainer-driver Brendan Barnes will then be faced with the decision on whether to hand up the lead, the danger for him being if he relents to one, the stablemate will likely then take over, putting him three back.
“We might be able to slot across without doing too much work and be handy in the running line.
“I’m really happy with him and I see no reason why he won’t race well again.”
In 17 months since arriving in Queensland, Tommy Lincoln has won six races and banked A$83,884 for Lincoln Farms owners John and Lynne Street and their partners Shannon and Brenda Flay, Ian, Kathy and Daniel Parkinson, Debbie Sparks, Ray Menzies, Denis Ebert and Ian Middleton.
Tommy Lincoln races at 1.12am NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
