Good mile effort on Friday will see Lincoln River travel some more miles to Hawera
By Barry Lichter • 24 January 2024
Trainer Ray Green is looking for a good run from Lincoln River on Friday night to cement a trip south to Hawera next week.
Lincoln River lines up in the fifth race at Auckland on mile night, over the same trip and from the same barrier, five, that saw him score his last win at the Park in November.
And after two workout wins in as many weeks, Green is confident of a good showing from the tough little pacer.
Lincoln River led all the way for Nathan Delany in his latest workout at Pukekohe last Saturday and, driven out, clocked a fast 1:58.9 mile rate for the 2050 metres to stave off Nelson’s Boy and stablemate My Copy.
With regular driver Delany suspended for a whip infringement until after the meeting, the reins go to fellow stable junior Monika Ranger on Friday night.
“He’s in good shape and I’m sure he’ll go well,” Green said.
Lincoln River, inner, pips his more favoured stablemate Frankie Major in his last run over a mile at Auckland last November. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.“He’s pulled up well from that latest workout and the mile will suit.”
Green is considering taking Lincoln River, Simply Sam and possibly Commander Lincoln to Hawera next week for the Friday-Sunday grass track meeting.
Lincoln River and Simply Sam would have two $20,000 cups to contest, Friday’s Stratford Cup and Sunday’s Hawera Cup, both over 2100 metres.
“Half the staff are going down so they might as well take some horses with them.”
Green isn’t expecting too much from Simply Sam in the seventh race on Friday night, given he takes on the likes of Merlin, Mach Shard, Sooner The Better and Alta Wiseguy.
“It’s only a small field but I can’t see Merlin beaten and a few of the others look better than him too.
“But he’ll get a good trip from one and should still go a good race, he always does.”
The same applies to Leo Lincoln in the fifth race, his 23212 formline telling all you need to know, Green said.
“He’s gone well in each of his last five starts and while Christopher Dance easily beat him last time, he was clearly better than the rest.”
Leo Lincoln tagged on to the back of Christopher Dance in making his run from last, improved three wide round the home turn and closed bravely in the very wet conditions.
My Copy, who takes on Lincoln River in race six, is the lowest rated runner but has the best draw, the ace hole giving him a chance at some money.
“That draw always helps and he’ll go his usual, honest race.”
My Copy was only 2.2 lengths from winner and stablemate Frankie Major in his last start on New Year’s Eve, rallying gamely from three deep on the markers to finish right alongside the in-form Two Eye See.
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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.
