Hot trial shows Tommy Lincoln’s back and ready to stake do-or-die claim for ID23
By Barry Lichter • 10 November 2023
Tommy Lincoln has one chance next week to lift his ranking for the upcoming Interdominion series in Brisbane and a slick trial at Albion Park has given him a glimmer of hope.
Off the scene after being injured in April, Tommy Lincoln languishes in 49th place on the ranking order for ID23, which starts on December 1.
With the final rankings released on November 22, that leaves him just one race to press his case, a $25,000 open 1660 on Saturday week.
And trainer Mark Dux believes the way Tommy trialled at Albion Park on Monday, he is in the right condition to stake a claim, especially considering he could land a favourable draw.
Sent to an early lead off the gate, driver Mathew Neilson then handed up to good performer Make Mine Memphis, before easing off his back round the home turn.
While Tommy couldn’t bridge the gap, he was only 5.2 metres behind at the finish, the official timer crediting the winner with a sizzling 1:50.6 mile rate for the 1660 metres.
Given the heat was run on an off track after rain, and the first half was run in only 60.6 seconds, Dux doesn’t believe the clocking, but nevertheless was very heartened by the effort, and the closing sectionals of 55.1 and 26.9.
“I was really happy with the run - it was his first for nearly seven months - and while he knocked up a little in the straight, he didn’t lose much ground on the winner, who is no slouch.”
Dux now has a tricky decision to make because he knows he has only one crack at impressing the ranking committee so he must have the horse humming on Saturday week.
“I need to show he’s going well because he hasn’t been on the scene for more than six months. If I had an extra two weeks I’d trial him again but I need to race next Saturday night, so I now have to decide whether to trial him again on Tuesday then back him up four days later.
“I’ll see how he trains in the morning then decide. If I’m happy with him he’ll go straight into the race. He can make really good improvement after just one trial.”
Dux says getting into the Interdominion series isn’t the be-all and end-all “but it would be nice if we can as he’s fit and healthy.”
If Tommy could perform well on Saturday week and move even half a dozen places up the rankings he’d be an outside chance of making the final 36, as late defections mount.
Heats for the series are run on December 1, 5 and 9 with the A$500,000 Grand Final on December 16.
Argyle is proving a model of consistency. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Another chance
Meanwhile, Lincoln Farms’ consistent pacer Argyle gets another chance to score in the opening race at Albion Park on Saturday night.
With a win, three seconds and a third in his last five starts, Dux believes Argyle is racing at the top of his game and needs just an ounce of luck to break through.
“There are no superstars in the field and I think he’s a little better than some of the others as you can use him a little in the running, he’s not a weak horse.”
Dux is hoping, however, that the horse doesn’t have to work quite as much as he did last week, when improving three wide to the death before getting a trail.
Argyle still dug in strongly up the straight, beaten just a head and 2.5 metres over the 2138 metres.
On Saturday he drops back to 1660 metres and Dux says he could get a nice run through from the back row behind good beginner Rock Supreme.
“If Rock Supreme led and got it easy he could run a really good last half and be hard to beat.
“But I’m really happy with Argyle and he’s right up to winning.”
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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.
