Our boy Tommy makes the cut for the Inters but he’ll have to make do with a trial to fit him
By Barry Lichter • 22 November 2023
Trainer Mark Dux is confident Tommy Lincoln will strip fit for the upcoming Interdominion series in Brisbane despite not being able to start him in a lead-up race.
Lincoln Farms’ six-year-old was sitting 26th when final rankings were released today for the 36-horse pacing championship.
A slew of defections, including all 10 of leading trainer Emma Stewart’s entries, saw just 49 horses remaining, with final acceptances taken on Monday when it will become known if tired New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Swayzee will take his place or not.
There will be no New Zealand-trained runners at the carnival with no trotters listed and the sole remaining pacer, Lincoln Farms’ Simply Sam, not making the trip.
But there are a number of former Kiwis, including Tommy Lincoln, who has won eight races campaigning in Queensland since June, 2021.
Dux had planned to give Tommy Lincoln a prep race, given he has not been seen since April, but not enough horses accepted either last week or this week to get the races off the ground.
So Dux will revert to trialling the horse at Albion Park on Friday instead.
“He’ll have a nice, sold trial, without killing him, and that should have him ready. He only needs one good blowout as he comes to hand quickly.”
Tommy Lincoln has already shown he has come back in great order when a five metre second in a 1660 metre trial on November 6 when winner Make Mine Memphis was credited with a sizzling mile rate of 1:50.6, a figure which Dux doubts is correct.
And, while Dux knows Tommy Lincoln isn’t up to beating series favourite Leap To Fame, he believes the horse will cope with the rigorous competition as well as any of his rivals.
Runners must race three times in eight days, the heats run on Friday, December 1, Tuesday, December 5 and Saturday, December 9, with the A$500,000 Ladbrokes Pacing Grand Final a week later.
“I don’t think it will worry him too much. He’s a pretty good doing horse. The third heat over 2680 metres will be the worst race for him (he failed three times in as many attempts over 2700 metres in New Zealand) but not many horses will come through it smiling.”
Dux is hoping Tommy can get a good draw in the opening round when he will be best suited by the 1660 metre sprint.
“A good draw would make a big difference but we won’t be driving him like a good thing. We’ll drive him conservatively.
“It’s been a bit frustrating not getting a race into him but I’m more than happy with where he’s at.”
The final rankings for the trotting and pacing series can be found here.
More news in Harness
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Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
