Leo Lincoln’s legs go everywhere as he launches himself into the air, spooked by a pile of poo on the track.
Green baby Leo Lincoln scores a 10 out of 10 - but dang that dung nearly cost him
By Barry Lichter • 16 December 2023
Trainer Ray Green and more specifically driver Andre Poutama marked Leo Lincoln 10 out of 10 at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
But the rating wasn’t just for his all-the-way three and a quarter length drubbing, more the acrobatics he showed just after the mobile gate pulled away at the start.
The plan to lead the four-horse field almost came unstuck when Leo Lincoln spotted a pile of poo on the track - and jumped it.
Incredibly, instead of galloping, he landed still in a pace.
“He went up in the air but I grabbed him straight away and it was lucky he came down pacing,” Poutama said.
The deft footwork belied a horse of such inexperience, Friday night’s race just the 11th for the two-year-old.
Poutama was able to push on the lead but said Leo Lincoln was still green in the run.
Leo Lincoln and Andre Poutama are well in control at the finish.“I had to keep him on the bit, he kept looking at stuff, I don’t know what.
“But he’s definitely better than when he dead-heated (at Cambridge in August). He had a bit of a break in September and has come back a stronger horse.”
After three recent placed runs, which Poutama said had helped give the gelding more confidence, and four scratchings which negated his outside draw, Leo Lincoln was given his chance in front on Friday night and never looked like being caught.
Expected challenges from the Telfer-trained pair Delightful Reality and Carbon never eventuated and he was able to cruise home in 57.7 and 29.
“They only went 2:43.3 but he’s a lazy bugger and only does what he has to,” Green said.
“He’ll win plenty more.”
Part owner Phil Kelly, left, shares a joke with the Mangere Lawn Cemetery race sponsor.That rap will be welcomed by Green’s partners in the Art Major gelding - Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street, their business manager Ian Middleton, Glenn and Ann Cotterill and Phil Kelly.
The $8250 stake the horse win on Friday night took his earnings to $21,550, a handsome bankroll for a horse just clearing the non-winners’ grade.
It was much the kind of start John Street hoped for when he paid $27,000 for Leo Lincoln as a weanling in 2021, his experience with the horse’s dam Alta Valencia’s brother Alta Intrigue all positive.
Lincoln Farms won nearly $100,000 with the consistent Alta Intrigue who, from just 26 starts, won four races and ran 13 placings, including a third in the 2017 Woodlands Northern Derby behind Raukapuka Ruler and Ultimate Machete.
Alta Intrigue was sold for big money a few months later to Western Australia, where he won another 10 races.
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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.
