Lincoln River (Andre Poutama) closing strongly for third in his last start at Alexandra Park.
Lincoln River deserves a turn and Ray’s looking for an improved run from Leo too
By Barry Lichter • 28 June 2023
Lincoln River is in the right form to open the batting on a winning note for Lincoln Farms at Alexandra Park on Thursday night.
The first of five runners which trainer Ray Green lines up, Lincoln River crucially gets a front line alley, only the second time in his last five starts that he has drawn to be able to try for the lead.
Two starts back he led out from four before taking a trail behind Miki Shan but, after dawdling along in front, the leader proved impossible to catch in a pedestrian 2:44.9 for the 2200 metres, Lincoln River coming up half a head short.
Lincoln River was back to a second row draw last time and despite finding the mile a tad short, he closed best to run Mhai Surfer Girl and Gandalf to a nose and one and a half lengths in 1:56.9.
“He’s racing really well,” says Green. “I can’t fault him. I can’t imagine him not going a good race and he should be one of the favourites. He still seems to be in a good place.”
Last Friday, at the Pukekohe workouts, Lincoln River showed he was right up to the mark when pipped only a head by stablemate My Copy, with Frankie Major half a length back third.
“His breeding is starting to come out a bit now,” says Green of the Bettor’s Delight three-year-old who is out of 2104 New Zealand Oaks winner Ideal Belle.
Green says My Copy just needs a trip in the fourth race to get a chunk of the cash - and from gate two he should get it.
“He’s in the zone. He’s looking great and he’s training and trialling really well.”
Green says not to take too much notice of My Copy’s ordinary looking sixth in his last start at Auckland two weeks ago.
“It was a funny race - they walked and sprinted and nothing made any ground.”
Leo Lincoln (Zachary Butcher) runs out of condition on debut.Green predicts an improved run from Leo Lincoln in the seventh race after he could manage only seventh on debut.
After enjoying the one-out one-back trail, Leo Lincoln found little in the stretch but there was only half a length between third and seventh.
“Was I disappointed with that run? Yes and no. He wasn’t too bad. It was the fastest he’d ever been and he ran out of condition.
“I expect him to be improved this time. He was really good at the workouts last Friday behind a good one of Barry Purdon’s.”
After leading, Leo Lincoln was beaten only half a neck by the trailer, Lazarus two-year-old Jeremiah, in 1:59.3 for mile.
“Obviously it depends on the trip he gets but he’ll beat most of them home and he’s absolutely a winning chance.”
Stablemate Major Achievement, who starts from five in the same race, is a work in progress, says Green.
Lincoln Cove has a lot to learn. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.“Fergy thought he went well (after leading) at Cambridge last time where he might have been a run short.
“I don’t know if he had a bug that night - Beaudiene Rocknroll certainly did as the snot started pouring out of him.
“The way he trained yesterday he’s definitely not sick now. He’ll win one quickly.”
The same can’t be said of debutant Lincoln Cove who is the sole second row runner in the last race of the night.
“We’ve thrown him in the deep end a bit here. He’s got a bit to learn - he’s never been off the place since we bought him. He’ll need a race or two to come to it but I think he’ll be all right in time.”
Lincoln Cove, a Downbytheseaside - Everlasting Grace colt, showed his inexperience at the workouts last Friday, tangling when he started to improve from the rear on the home turn.
“He tried to look at the exit gate and lost concentration. But I wouldn’t read too much into that.”
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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.
