Leo Lincoln finishes strongly behind Penny Black last Friday.
Leo Lincoln leads the charge of Lincoln Farms’ place chances at the Park on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 13 December 2023
Trainer Ray Green doesn’t expect the outside draw to stop improving two-year-old Leo Lincoln from earning another cheque at Auckland on Friday night.
The Art Major gelding finished best of the rest behind the strongly fancied Penny Black last Friday night, running his second sub 2:42 time in as many starts.
And his closing sectionals of 57.2 and 28.3 were the best in the race, along with his last mile clocking of 1:59.2.
“He’s going good races and I don’t think it’s too bad for him being out wide as he won’t be used up early,” Green said.
“He’s not a strong horse yet but he’s racing honestly and while I couldn’t label him a winner, he should be in it.”
Leo Lincoln comes up against three of the strong Steve and Amanda Telfer team including Delightful Reality, who beat him a half neck two starts back and has the advantage of the pole this week.
Simply Sam gets another chance to break his string of placings when he contests the $30,000 Thames Summer Cup, favourably drawn in two.
Green is happy that Simply Sam is up to the opposition and says he’s “honest as the earth” but he suspects the horse is still not quite right given how he was beaten a neck and a nose last week after a good trip.
“I thought he was a bit disappointing last week - he gets up to them but seems reluctant to run past them. I think we’re getting on top of his tying-up issue but he’s still not 100% I don’t think.
“He steps fast so you’d be mad to leave him out of combo bets but I can’t label him on what he’s shown us this time in. I’ll be happy if he picks up another cheque.”
Maurice McKendry finds My Copy a beautiful trip in the one-one last week.My Copy jumps up from winning a rating 41 to 46 last week to a rating 50 to 56 race but Green says his rivals certainly “don’t stand over him.
“It wouldn’t surprise me to see him win again but he’d need another good trip. Maurice found him a great trip last week and that’s what won it for him.
“He never lets us down. Even when he’s been beaten he’s had excuses.”
My Copy leaves from another niggly draw of five in the eighth race, his stablemate Lincoln River, the second highest rated horse in the race, faring even worse in seven.
“He had no luck last week when stuck out parked and he’ll be looking for a bit of luck again on Friday.
“All four of ours are going well enough and can be in it, subject to a bit of luck.”
More news in Harness
Leo Lincoln close to a win: Watch how he copped it early last time at Manawatu
Consisent little Lincoln Lou sold to Western Australia to join fellow ex-Kiwis
Kevin Kline caps record day for Casey and loyal Lincoln Farms’ team - and can repeat
It’s bon voyage Frisky as Ray celebrates another rags to riches sale success
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.”
