Lenny’s no rock star but he’s drawn to tune them up at Cambridge on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 25 October 2023
From gate four, Vincent two-year-old Lenny Lincoln looks best of Lincoln Farms’ three runners at Cambridge on Friday night.
The improving gelding has finished second in two recent runs on the course, powering home from well back last start behind the well backed favourite The Surfer.
And trainer Ray Green says moving in two spots on the front row this week could be all Lenny needs to notch his first win.
Instead of having to go back and mount his challenge three wide, with only a little luck, driver Andre Poutama should be able to secure a trip handy to the pace.
Lenny Lincoln looks close to taking a trick. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.“He seems to like Cambridge and I can’t see why he won’t be hard to beat. On paper he looks the best of our lot.”
The only recent glitch in Lenny Lincoln’s immediate form line was a sixth, when he couldn’t make ground from the back on Duchess Megxit’s 55.5 last half at Auckland.
Green believes his other maiden, Obadiah Dragon, also has a strong chance earlier in the night when he will enjoy starting from two on the front row.
Drawn the second row at Manawatu on Monday, Obadiah Dragon became snookered three back on the markers and Poutama was in tight quarters trying to find room in the run home, finishing a close fourth, just a head and a nose from second.
“I thought it was a good run. Things just didn’t happen for him at the right time and he got out only late.
“From a decent draw he’ll have no excuses this time. I could see him getting a cheque.”
Conquer Clare hasn’t been so fortunate with the draw in the eighth race, landing the outside of the eight-horse field.
But the quality of opposition is well down on her last start at Auckland when 11th, but only 3.9 lengths from winner Kourtney Kardash.
The former southern mare was in heavy traffic turning in, speared through a gap halfway down, then came to the end of her run 50 metres out.
“She wasn’t spectacular but I thought she was OK,” Green said.
“She’s better suited here and is a very honest little mare who should go well but eight is a bad draw in any field and negates any enthusiasm.”
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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.
