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.”
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
