Colonel Lincoln, nearest camera, is back after a long break at Cambridge on Tuesday.
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
By Barry Lichter • 17 December 2024
Lincoln Farms and its partners in Colonel Lincoln have had to be patient but the former sale-topper is at last ready to show his ability.
All eyes will be on the four-year-old when he tackles the sixth event at Cambridge on Thursday night, his first race for nearly 21 months.
And despite the long break, and all that has happened to the big horse, trainer Ray Green is expecting a bold showing.
Since Lincoln Farms’ owner John Street paid $200,000 for the Bettor’s Delight - Jessies Cullen colt in February 2021, he’s spent more time in the wars than actually racing.
Despite having his early racing hampered by claustrophobia, Colonel Lincoln won his fifth start, at Cambridge, looping the field like a horse who would go on with the job.
Colonel Lincoln … two tendon scares since he last raced.But he showed signs of a bowed tendon in April, 2023 and had six months off, during which time he was gelded and spent time on the water treadmill at Margaret Park in Matangi.
“He’d been back in work for only three weeks when he tried to bow the other leg,” Green said. “Luckily, we caught it in time before it got serious.
“This time since he’s been back it’s been good, and there has been no sign of a problem.”
Colonel Lincoln has had two workouts in preparation for his resumption, the lastest at Pukekohe on December 5 when he trailed third before improving to lead and holding second place well behind Matai Phil.
“His training has been good since and he should go well first-up.
“He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
That prediction will be welcomed by Lynne and John Street, and the other partners who stayed in the horse after his injuries, John’s sister Bev Glass, brother Kevin and wife Glenis.
Lincoln La Moose, won “like a monster” on debut at Cambridge. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Drawn to trail
Another useful pacer resuming for Lincoln Farms on Thursday night is Art Major three-year-old Lincoln La Moose, who has drawn to trail in the seventh race.
“He hasn’t raced for more than three months but he’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn.”
Lincoln La Moose “went through a bad patch” in his last prep, according to Green, pacing roughly and placing in just two of eight starts.
“It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Green is expecting an improved effort in the fourth race from Onyx Shard who needed her first-up run, when sixth at Auckland.
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw.
“She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Green is also hoping to get a cheque with Commander Lincoln, who opens in the second race.
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
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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.
