Our gutsy Tommy’s ready for another sizzler at Albion Park on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 7 May 2022
Trainer Mark Dux is looking for a top three finish from Tommy Lincoln tonight after his fighting fourth in the fastest mile ever run at Albion Park.
Dux believes Lincoln Farms’ flagship pacer should really have filled a spot in last week’s sizzler, when winner Blacksadance stopped the clock at a track record 1:50 flat mile rate for the 1660 metres.
Dux calculated Tommy’s own time at 1:50.81, only four tenths of a second outside the previous record held by Cruz, and says he would probably have held third had driver Angus Garrard not come out of the trail to challenge round the home turn.
“Angus said he was travelling and he thought the leader was hanging a little and might come back on top of him and he didn’t want his momentum stopped.
“But when they’re going that fast you don’t want to leave the pegs. He could have ducked up the sprint lane and, while he wouldn’t have won, he’d probably have run third.”
Tommy Lincoln fights on for fourth behind Blacksadance in a track record 1:50 mile rate.As it was, first Northview Hustler, who had been three deep, then Bitcoin, also on the markers, gathered him in, Tommy finishing 11.4 metres from the winner, but still recording closing sectionals of 54.95 and 28.11.
Dux says Tommy has trained well this week and believes he will have the horse even fitter for tonight’s fourth race which is over the longer 2138 metres.
“Last week I didn’t train him like normal because I tried him in the anti choke device but this week he’s had all the work he normally gets.”
The effectiveness of the anti-choke device was proven when Tommy showed no signs of dropping out like he did at his previous stat when Dux is sure he was cutting off his wind.
“He settled nicely last week and his breathing was good. If he can breathe, he can run.
“It’s a good tough race this week - with Northview Hustler, Turn It Up, It Ain’t The Money and Deus Ex - but barring bad luck I’m hoping for a top three finish.
“He’ll get a nice run from the inside again and, while there’s a lot of speed in the race, I’m not worried if he holds up or hands.
“But we don’t want to hand to one who will hand to another, and be left sitting three back, so hopefully he can let only one go.”
In all likelihood that one will be the Hustler, who has found top form again with Jack Butler, and goes up to his preferred trip tonight.
Madi Dux, drove a perfect race on Captain Nemo last week. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Same tactics with Nemo
Dux will be using the same tactics as last week with Captain Nemo who outran his $34 outside odds last week with an excellent 2.9 metre second.
Even though Nemo has drawn wide out in six, his instructions to daughter Madi will be to try to find the spot outside the leader without doing too much work.
“He went terrific last week, she gave him every hope. He’s stronger for longer if he doesn’t have to burn too hard off the gate.
“There’s a bit of speed inside us but we’ve got enough speed to come across with The Ideal Dancer. I don’t think there’ll be a lead for the horses out wide but I think he’d be happy to take a trail.”
Dux says the key with Nemo is to get him outside the leader, pacing strongly.
“He travelled really well there the other day, like the old Nemo. That’s how he travelled last prep. A couple of times recently he’s got there but has been off the bit and we’ve been niggling at him.
“He’s done well this week and I’m sure he’ll race great again. I don’t think Pelosi is going as well as she can and it will be hard for her from seven, she’ll have to go back from there.”
Captain Nemo races at 7.39pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Tommy Lincoln races at 8.40pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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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.
