Tommy Lincoln (David Butcher) goes all the way to beat stablemate Man Of Action at Alexandra Park tonight.
Lincoln Farms boss pays tribute to loyal owner after Tommy Lincoln’s all-the-way win
By Barry Lichter • 29 July 2020
Lincoln Farms boss John Street delighted in presenting the prize for Tommy Lincoln’s win tonight to one of his most loyal supporters, Ray Menzies.
Street and his wife Lynne sponsored the race, the Lincoln Farms Pace, and appropriately shared in the ownership of Tommy Lincoln.
But Street happily passed over the wine and glasses set to Menzies whom he thanked for his support over many years.
Ray Menzies … has been coming to the trots at Auckland since the 1970s.Menzies, whose partners in the horse include Shannon and Brenda Flay, Ian, Kathy and Daniel Parkinson, Debbie Sparks, Dennis Ebert and Ian Middleton, said Tommy Lincoln was the best of the horses he’s raced in the Lincoln green colours.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have had a few winners here. My dad raced Diogenes (16 wins) in the late 70s and that’s how long I’ve been coming to the trots at Auckland.”
Menzies, who owned a glass business in Browns Bay for 40 years before his retirement, also had a share in the evergreen Peter Burgess-trained pacer Ball Of Lightning who won 10 races.
Tommy Lincoln, now the winner of four of his 14 starts, may not have that pacer’s longevity but trainer Ray Green is expecting him to win plenty more races.
Shannon Flay gets a hug from Christine Rupp after Tommy Lincoln’s win.“He did the job we expected him to tonight. I don’t think he’s a cup winner - he’s in a tier below the top ones - but he’ll be a nice horse for his owners.”
Bred by Lincoln Farms, from its former mare Tania Tandias who also produced good winners Lincoln Road and Lincoln’s Girl, Tommy Lincoln led all the way in the good time of 2:41.6 to beat his trailing stablemate Man Of Action by one and three-quarter lengths.
“He’s a tough bugger,” said Street. “He’d been beating Copy That at the Pukekohe trials and he finally got the good draw he needed tonight.”
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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.
