No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night

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.”