Leo Lincoln close to a win: Watch how he copped it early last time at Manawatu
By Barry Lichter • 5 April 2025
Leo Lincoln needs only a little luck at Manawatu on Sunday to make up for an unlucky last-start placing on the course.
The four-year-old, who has opened a $4.80 third favourite, was all set to secure the perfect trail on April 1 when rival Sailesh Abernethy on Stickifingers cut in front of him, a manoeuvre which will see him face a careless driving charge before the meeting starts on Sunday.
The incident on the first turn saw Peter Ferguson having to check Leo Lincoln and concede his position, a critical change considering Stickifingers went on to win the race.
Given Leo Lincoln was forced to cover extra ground when challenging three wide on the home turn, it could be argued he was cost the win.
Winding up late, Leo Lincoln finished just three-quarters of a length and a neck behind Stickifingers and pacemaker Fredastaire.
The merit of the run was further underlined with the 2000 meres cut out in 2:24.6, a slick mile rate of 1:56.4 on the recently refurbished track.
Leo Lincoln … devoid of luck in recent starts. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Co-trainer Ray Green said Abernethy’s move, when not sufficiently clear, took Leo Lincoln’s legs right out from under him - “You can’t cut in like that.
“He’ll win one soon. He’s always been a nice horse and very rarely missed cheques before he went off, for whatever reason, when he couldn’t even pace properly.
“But he seems back to it now and should be in the money for sure.”
Leo Lincoln has drawn on the inside of the second row, putting him at the mercy of how fast pole runner Ha’penny comes out of the gate, ironically piloted by Abernethy.
Lincoln Farms’ next best runner is Onyx Shard ($6, $1.90) but she will need some luck to overcome her outside front row draw.
Taken back from a similar alley at the last meeting on the course, Onyx Shard finished very well, a tactic Green expects will be employed again.
“If you get a good draw, you’re obligated to use it and go forward, and that means burning a bit of petrol. But, driven more quietly last time, she got sucked along and did nothing, finishing with plenty of gas in the tank.
“Ideally she’ll be driven like that again. But as long as she gets home well, I’ll be happy.”
Work in progress
Remaining runner, What’s Up The Hill ($11, $2.30) is a work in progress, says Green.
The son of former age group star Escapee has switched into a pace in all of his three starts, twice late when tiring, and once soon after the start.
“He just needs more practice - you don’t learn much at the trials with only two or three horses. If he trots the whole way, he should be in the money.”
Kevin Kline has been scratched from the sixth race.
“He has an abscess in a foot and is quite tender on it.”
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Nathan’s comments
Tuesday twilight at Manawatu
Race 4: Leo Lincoln
5.44pm
“Fergie’s drive on Sunday was perfect, you couldn’t ask for better, and he said the horse was doing his best work in the last 50 metres. Maybe with another 100 metres he might have got there. His gate speed is only OK so I can see him getting crossed here.”
Race 5: Kevin Kline
6.19pm
“Fergie said he did it easily on the first day, and the horse only did what he had to. He’s been racing much nicer horses at Auckland so it was good to get the win, hopefully it will boost his confidence. I’ll leave the tactics up to Fergie but I imagine he’ll probably do the same thing again, loop the field and outstay them.”
Race 6: Onyx Shard
6.54pm
“I was hoping she’d drop down a grade. She’s had some tough trips recently, having to do a lot of work, and it didn’t help being three wide for the last lap on the first day. Also they only walked and sprinted home. She could be better coming with one run at them.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Lover
5.33pm
“He had no chance last start when trapped three wide all the way. That won’t happen this time from the inside draw so that gives him a chance to get some of it.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.33pm
“He’s shown no gate speed so the wide draw doesn’t matter. He’s coming along all right but will need lots of luck against the hot pots.”
Race 5: Debbie Lincoln
6.54pm
“She seems to have overcome her tying-up issue, her bloods are good, and she’s training well again. She could possibly be underdone and the seven draw makes it very hard.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lou
7.20pm
Scratched. Sold to Western Australia.
Ray’s comments
Sunday at Manawatu
Race 1: What’s Up The Hill
3.16pm
“He’s a work in progress. He just needs more practice - you don’t learn much at the trials with only two or three horses. If he trots the whole way, he should be in the money.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
4.38pm
“We drove her more quietly last time and she finished very well. She got sucked along and did nothing, finishing with plenty of gas in the tank. Ideally she’ll be driven like that again.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
5.33pm
“He had his legs taken right out from under him on the first turn last time. He’s racing very well and should be in the money again for sure.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
5.33pm
“We’ve scratched him. He has an abscess in a foot and is quite tender on it.”
