Sugar Ray Lincoln paced better when trailing Lincoln Lou at the Pukekohe workouts 12 days ago.
No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 23 April 2024
He might not be Lincoln Farms’ best winning chance of the night at Auckland but most punters just want to know what to expect from Sugar Ray Lincoln in the Second Young Guns heat.
And trainer Ray Green isn’t sure he can help that much.
Copy That’s little brother was backed into second favouritism at his last start after a terrific debut, when he showed real courage to just go under after an aborted attempt at the lead and having to sit parked outside Confederate for the last lap.
But when he returned to the Park two weeks later it was like he was a different animal, as he paced away roughly, galloped when midfield with 1400 metres to run then lost more ground when hampered 650 metres from home.
Driver Maurice McKendry didn’t persevere with the two-year-old afterwards and he finished last, all of 33 metres from winner Cyclone Jordy.
McKendry told Green the horse put in a few funny steps at various intervals and believed he might have been striking his knee.
“He did have marks on his boot,” Green said. “And trying a spreader on him has helped. Copy That was the same - he had a spreader on early ’til he strengthened up a bit.
“But that’s only looking for an excuse, really. It’s just him, he’s a real baby. He’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Green’s wife Debbie also reported Sugar Ray Lincoln had been much more boisterous on the truck in to Alexandra Park last time, and continued kicking the walls in the stable block even after his arrival.
“He’s starting to wake up to it, and is getting more fiesty as he realises what’s going on. It’s all part and parcel of his growing up and he’s still learning.”
Sugar Ray paced more fluently in a workout at Pukekohe 12 days ago, trailing stablemate and race rival Lincoln Lou, before running winner I Got Chills to a head at the finish of their 1609 metre heat.
Green is pleased that Sugar Ray has drawn five on Friday night, compared with his pole position last start, as he won’t be cluttered up and pressured early on the markers. “That’s a good draw for him, out in the open, so he can go back or forward.”
He is not so happy wth Lincoln Lou’s marble, the outside of the gate.
“He’ll find it tough from out there.”
Frisco Bay, pictured winning at Cambridge, has an experience edge on Lincoln La Moose on Friday night. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Green believes the stable might have to wait until the last race to visit the winner’s circle with Lincoln La Moose and Frisco Bay likely to dispute favouritism from the two inside slots.
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve.
“He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose. But I like him too. He’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced.
“But he had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race.”
Leo Lincoln … locked wheels in the run home last start.Leo unlucky
Another who was a little unlucky last start, Leo Lincoln, draws to be in the hunt again in the third race.
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away
The stewards reported Leo Lincoln was also held up rounding the final turn and in the early stages of the run home.
“He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw.
“There are a couple of nice horses in there including Escape Artist and Irish Whispers but he’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Two-year-old filly Debbie Lincoln, on the other hand, will be doing well to just run fourth in the Delightful Lady Classic, says Green.
“Those ones of Barry Purdon’s and Scotty Phelan’s were way too good for her last time and I can’t see her improving enough to give them a fright. They’re way further advanced than us.
“Debbie Lincoln can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
More news in Harness
‘The Kid’ flying but Argyle up against it to add good points in novel drivers’ challenge
Street’s emotion-charged night in the winners’ room - sad loss before a record four wins
It’s green jackets all the way and Ray fancies improving surprise packet Prince Lincoln
The Lincoln Wave secret is well and truly out now, but who was that mystery underbidder?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.
