Lincoln Farms has pair to be reckoned with in Friday’s race named in honour of the Streets
By Barry Lichter • 13 July 2023
Frankie Major and Lincoln River give Lincoln Farms a strong chance of winning the appropriately named Congratulations John and Lynne Street for 1000 wins Pace at Auckland on Friday night.
The race, in honour of the Streets unprecedented feat of winning 1000 harness and gallops races, features some up-and-coming types but while Frankie Major and Lincoln River are both disadvantaged in the ratings, they have the ability to go close.
Frankie Major’s 72787 formline might look poor but he has roughed it in some much better fields and comes into the race rejuvenated after a five-month break.
After three workouts, trainer Ray Green had been confident of a good showing when he entered the horse for Auckand two weeks ago.
But a precautionary blood test, taken with a few of his stablemates exhibiting signs of a virus, came back poorly so Green pulled him out.
“It showed he had a bit of virus, enough to know he wouldn’t race any good. We were still able to keep working him but he’s missed a trial so he could be a bit below par.
“But he doesn’t need a lot of work, there’s nothing in the field that’s better than him, and he has a good (three) draw.”
Lincoln River … two of his three wins have been at Auckland. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.If lack of race fitness beats Frankie Major, Lincoln River has that covered, having placed in each of his last five starts.
Last week at Cambridge, Lincoln River looked a big winning chance when he launched up the passing lane, only to be outfinished by the far higher rated New York Minute and Rough And Ready.
“He just flattened out that last bit,” Green said. “But it was a good effort being only a three-year-old against tough older horses.”
That race was for rating 50 to 70 pacers, while Friday’s event is capped at rating 58, with the two top rated runners Brookies Jaffa (R58) and Hooray Henry (R57) handicapped on the outside of the gate.
Lincoln River, drawn two on the second row, will need luck himself but Green says he’s pretty happy with the gelding.
“He’s holding his form well and should go another good race. Frankie might be slightly the faster horse but they’re two very different types.”
Incredibly, the two horses have almost identical records, both having won three races and run five seconds in 23 starts.
Green will be hoping for even just average luck for My Copy when he lines up two races earlier.
The four-year-old half brother to champion Copy That hasn’t seen daylight in his last two races, under forcible restraint from driver Fergus Schumacher down the stretch at Cambridge last week.
“He’s been very unlucky but he’s really good, the best he’s ever been.
“He’s raced over 2700 metres only once but I don’t see that as an issue. We’re just hoping for a bit more luck this time.”
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Ray’s comments
Tuesday at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
3.39pm
“He’s a beautiful horse, and a quality mover, who’s finally demonstrating his ability. He’s done a lot of work and has had a good, solid build-up so he’ll cop a bit of racing now and I don’t see why he won’t be in it again.”
Race 2: Frisco Bay
3.39pm
“If you put him in front or in the breeze he over-races. He needs a run where he can relax in behind - every time he’s got a two-hole trip he’s won. He’s a bit one-dimensional in that respect but he’s got a lot of speed and, if he’d drawn better, I’d have labelled him.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lou
4.04pm
“On paper, he should be favourite. You can’t fault that last run in the Golden Gait and if he repeats that he’s the one to beat. He seems to be back to where we had him before. He’s been incredibly unlucky in a lot of his races. We don’t need good luck, we’re just looking for no bad luck.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
4.04pm
“I can’t see him beating our other two. I don’t think we’ll see the best of him until well into his three-year-old year. He’s a big, rangy, slow developing horse. We’ll race him on Tuesday then give him a bit of a break.”
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
4.04pm
“I know this is a step-up in grade, and she’s drawn the outside, but I’ve got a feeling she could be up to it. Her driver, Maurice McKendry, is very enthusiastic about her and he’s no fool. He’s been happy every time he’s sat behind her. She keeps getting better and potentially could be a high class three-year-old filly. I’m quite excited about her.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
4.30pm
“He won’t burn off any quick beginners but he showed he could hold his own from the inside when he won two starts back. He’s just got to do it without doing anything tricky. He can pace roughly, he’s not the complete package yet, but when the penny drops he’ll be a serious horse.”
Race 9: The Big Lebowski
7.17pm
“I wasn’t disappointed with his last run. It’s hard to win those races from long back marks at Cambridge - Copy That had to go a New Zealand record to do it. He’s as good as he can be at the moment but these are the best horses in commission and we’ll be grateful for what we can get.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.38pm
Update: Scratched
“She can get some of it. She has a good draw so should get a good trip. She’s training on well.”
Race 4: Commander Lincoln
7.09pm
“The draw doesn’t matter with him as he’s not one to leave the gate. I thought he went super last time. He got home really well and was unlucky not to run second or even win.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.33pm
“Forget that last run. He half choked when Zac tried to restrain him and started pulling. He’s got a better draw this time, should hop straight into the trail, and hopefully get home as well as when he won the time before.”
