Lincoln Lou coming home for a break but remaining trio headed to Ashburton features

Lincoln Lou is coming home to rest up after bashing his knee in the Two-Year-Old Harness Million.

Lincoln Farms’ speedy colt disputed the early lead in the $200,000 feature at Addington last Friday night and was handy in the running when he broke entering the home straight on the first lap and galloped his way back to the rear.

Lincoln Lou had to be steadied when he paced roughly again 850 metres out and he finished last, 25 lengths from the winner Marketplace.

The uncharacteristic performance was explained immediately afterwards when driver Sam Thornley told Green the colt had hit his knee.

“I’ve no idea why it’s suddenly become a problem,” Green said. “But something strange has happened to make him hammer his knee.

“He has a bit of fill in the knee, it’s not too bad, but I’d hate him to do it again while it’s like this so he can go home and have a month off.

“He hasn’t had a decent break and he’s a great little horse so I want to do the right thing by him.”

Green said Lincoln Lou’s action would be monitored when he resumed work and, if necessary, he would be fitted with spreaders.

The remaining three of Lincoln Farms’ southern team have pleased since their campaign openers at Addington and will progress to Ashburton on Monday week.

The Big Lebowski advanced his cup ranking from 35 to 32 with his all-the-way domination but will need to win or place in the $60,000 Flying Stakes to have any chance of making the 15-horse cut.

“He’s a beautiful big horse who glides along and covers the ground, loping along as if it’s nothing. John Morrison said he could have gone another lap the other night.”

Sugar Ray Lincoln, who made good ground in the Two-Year-Old Harness Million for sixth, will contest the final Sires’ Stakes heat at Ashburton while Green will make a late payment to get Frisco Bay into the $50,000 Sires’ Stakes Sophomore Classic (mobile 1700m) for three-year-olds.

Frisco Bay caught the eye last Friday with his late run for a close third behind the highly regarded Renegade, recording the fastest closing sectionals of 56.05 and 26.84.