Our tough Tommy’s ready to add to A$50,000 won in last campaign in Brisbane
By Barry Lichter • 20 January 2022
Tommy Lincoln hasn’t raced for three months but Queensland trainer Mark Dux is confident he will still acquit himself well at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Lincoln Farms’ tough five-year-old lines up in the fourth race, a $20,000 free-for-all over his favoured 2138 metres, from a perfect draw of two, which Dux says should see him in the money.
“We’ll cross the one, be in front, then I’ll play it by ear. I’ll see how he’s travelling and how much pressure they put on us.”
Dux says he’d be more confident with Tommy Lincoln had he been race fit like the two favourites, L L Cool J and Governor Jujon who ran the quinella last week in a swift 1:51.2 mile rate for 1660 metres.
“Those other two have race fitness on us but Tommy is a place chance for sure. He’s done enough in preparation for this to race well.”
Dux has trialled Tommy Lincoln twice in recent weeks.
“He had a quiet one the first week when fourth but last time I let him run home.”
Tommy Lincoln was driven hard to lead and fought strongly behind eventual winner Manila Playboy, who came off his back and ran closing sectionals of 54.8 and 26.5 to record a 1:53.1 mile rate and win by 1.6 metres.
While that might sound very fast for a trial, Dux says you can’t go in too underdone against the horses Tommy now faces.
“Tommy’s come through the trial well and this race will be a good pipe opener for him. They’re two nice horses he’s up against but Tommy’s no slouch and he’s not that far behind them.”
Dux points to Tommy’s run in September when he finished second to Will The Wizard in a 1:50.6 mile rate.
Dux reports Tommy has come back big and strong after his first four-month campaign in Quuensland when he raced 16 times and racked up five wins, five placings and A$50,000 in earnings.
“He needed a break. You’d love to race forever but you just can’t at the rate they’re going, it takes its toll going that fast every week.
“He had a couple of weeks off and has been back in work for 10 weeks. I’m really happy with him. I’ve had no dramas and he’s training well, but whatever he does this week he’ll improve on.”
Dux says Tommy will be even better placed next week in another $20,000 race for band two to band four horses, meaning the free-for-allers can’t run.
“Saturday’s race will tighten him up nicely.”
Lincoln Farms’ stablemate Captain Nemo had been coming along well in a new preparation too until he got sick.
“He got some sort of virus - he started running a temperature and his legs swelled up - so I gave him a week off.”
Tommy Lincoln races at 10.10pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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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.
