Kevin Kline powers home at Cambridge but is a stride too late. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.
Kevin Kline a real fish called Wanda fresh-up but he’ll learn from the run for Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 20 November 2024
Expect another good effort from Kevin Kline at Auckland on Friday night, despite his being a bit like a fish out of water fresh-up.
The two-year-old did everything but win at Cambridge last week, flashing late to be pipped half a head, with driver Maurice McKendry reporting he simply got lost when asked to sprint.
“When Maurice asked him to go at the top of the straight he didn’t quite know what to do,” said trainer Ray Green.
“He wound up well in the end but just left it a little late. He’ll learn from that and should go well again.”
The Always B Miki gelding gets a draw upgrade from five to one this week but Green isn’t so sure that’s the place to be for a learner.
“The inside is an awkward draw as you’re obligated to leave, or end up three or four fence, but hopefully he’ll be all right.
“He’s a nice horse who will only get better.”
Work in progress
Lincoln Farms has only other runner on the night, Debbie Lincoln in the Lincoln Farms Pace for two-year-old fillies, but Green describes her as a work in progress.
“She has a bit of ability - she’s fast - but she needs to harness it. She gets a little claustrophobic when they come around her.”
The Lather Up filly has won two of her latest three workouts, leading all the way in the last one on November 14, but showed her greenness when galloping on the last bend in her November 7 heat, won by Kevin Kline.
Green said Debbie Lincoln is much better equipped to handle racing now than when she had her first two runs in April, behind the top Purdon/Phelan filly Youretheonethatiwant.
“She wasn’t ready for races like the Delightful Lady Classic but is a much stronger individual now, which is normal progress.
“You don’t know what you’re up against in these early races - there’s always something flying under the radar - but the mission on Friday will be to get round without her doing anything stupid. If she happened to win it, great.”
Debbie Lincoln, who is out of the one-win Sir Lincoln mare Yasmine Bromac, cost just $3500 at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock weaning sale and is now raced by Green’s wife Debbie and Lincoln Farms owners John and Lynne Street.
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Ray’s comments
Wednesday at Auckland
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
5.10pm
“I can’t believe he’s not picked in four (on the HRNZ website). He actually headed Cyclone Rebel last start but switched off. We’ve added sliding blinds which seem to have helped in training and he’s got to be a good each-way chance. He just needs a bit of luck from six on the gate.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
5.10pm
“He’ll need some luck from the outside but hopefully he can still get a cheque. He doesn’t have as much speed as Prince Lincoln.”
Race 7: Spiritual Bliss
6pm
“I think she’ll be able to handle the rise in class. She’s a pretty good mare who keeps finding when the pressure goes on. It won’t be easy but she has a good draw and has already run a mile in 1:55.3.”
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
6pm
“It’s hard to know how she compares with Spiritual Bliss but I think they’re both chances. Debbie Lincoln is still the fastest three-year-old to win over 1700 metres around Alexandra Park and she was excellent again when just pipped by Tyson last time.”
Race 12: Tyson
8.38pm
“The rise in class won’t stop him. If they go a bit harder, he can still run a 56 half off a solid pace. He’s improving all the time, more than I thought he would. He could easily win again.”
Race 12: Leo Lincoln
8.38pm
“We threw him in the deep end first-up when he really needed another trial. That race will bring him on a bit but I think he’ll need another before we see him at his best.”
