Lou out with a bug, so it’s up to Sugar Ray and Tyson to do the heavy hitting at Auckland
By Barry Lichter • 11 July 2024
Lincoln Farms’ stranglehold on Friday night’s two-year-old race at Auckland dissipated a fraction tonight with the scratching of Lincoln Lou.
Trainer Ray Green said the early $2.20 favourite had been scratched on vet’s advice.
“He looked a little seedy this morning and also left a bit of food so we took a blood and it turns out he’s picked up a bit of a virus.”
Green said it was lucky the symptoms surfaced today, avoiding the possibility of causing the horse harm by racing him.
“It’s unfortunate but it’s not like it’s the derby on Friday, it’s just another race. We’ll just have to win it with Sugar Ray Lincoln or Tyson.”
Lincoln Lou’s withdrawal, plus that of Carrera Hombre, leaves only a five-horse field and has dramatically affected the fixed odds market with Sugar Ray Lincoln now the $1.55 favourite, Stonewall Stud’s best runner Debrief second fancy at $3.90 and Tyson next best at $4.40.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Lover
6.49pm
“You can’t fault what he’s done in his last four starts - he hasn’t missed a cheque. He’s raced at Auckland before as a two-year-old against good horses so it shouldn’t be too daunting for him. He’ll go an honest race, it’s just whether he’s good enough.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
7.57pm
Nathan Delany: “He had to trial on Tuesday after hitting the gate and breaking at Cambridge and I was happy with how he went. He ran Dear God to half a length in 2:38, and got home in 27.3. I’ll tell Harry to have one run at them and he should beat them for speed. Hopefully they run along a bit and he’ll sprint straight past them.”
Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.57pm
“She lacks a bit of speed but she’s a rough chance.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.24pm
“It’s her first start for five months and she hasn’t trialled but she’s training well. She has plenty of ability and there’s nothing wonderful in the race. In the past she’s been her own worst enemy, a lunatic at times, but she seems more settled this time in. You could say I’m hopeful more than confident.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.24pm
“She has a bit of speed. She hasn’t been strong but seems to have developed a bit more this time in and is training quite well. I don’t think there’s much between her and Lincoln Linda.”
