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 Cambridge
Race 2: Johnny Lincoln
5.39pm
“He didn’t do anything at Auckland last start but seems to go better left-handed and placed at Cambridge in his only start there.”
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.39pm
“Her driver (Harrison Orange) said she would have won last start had that horse (Mr Miki) not stopped in her face. The winner was gone by the time she saw daylight. She will just need some luck from the second row draw.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.39pm
“He should have won last start at Auckland but we’ve taken the blinds off on Friday night and, in a weaker line-up, going left-handed, we’ll see how he goes.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.37pm
“I think the race will be won or lost soon after the start. It’s out of our control, we just have to hope she gets a run through and then I’m sure she’ll be hard to beat.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.40pm
“She’s got a little bit of lick but only has a short sprint, so timing is everything.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.40pm
“Being put in the race from the start last time obviously took a bit of the sting out of him. But at least there’s no chance that will happen this time from the second row. In his previous races he’d ducked for cover and got sucked along but he needs a decent tempo, he’s no sit-sprinter.”
