Out on his own at the finish, Lincoln La Moose surprised with his toughness. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.
Rampaging La Moose growing on Ray and right-handed shouldn’t be a worry
By Barry Lichter • 17 April 2024
Trainer Ray Green admits he was quite surprised when Lincoln La Moose ran away for an easy win on debut at Cambridge.
But, while the three-year-old steps up in company at Auckland on Friday night, Green believes he can go on with the good form.
“When they’re having their first start you never know quite what they’ll do but I wasn’t expecting him to race so tough.”
Lincoln La Moose, for so long too delicate to push, galloped round the first turn, going back to share the rear before driver Andre Poutama was forced to let him run at the 1600 because “he was over-racing like a loose cannon.”
Despite having to sit parked, Lincoln La Moose cleared right out from T Bone Walker in the run home to score by three and three-quarter lengths in a very respectable 2:42.6.
“He seems to be one of those horses who puts their best foot forward when the money is up,” Green said.
“Right-handed shouldn’t bother him and he’d have to be in it again from the good draw.”
Green gave the Art Major colt a blow-out at the Pukekohe trials last Thursday given he won’t have raced for a month - and he liked what he saw.
Last at the 400, Lincoln La Moose unwound strongly for Poutama to finish only a length and a half from winner Sunshine Shelby on a 28.9 final quarter.
Speedy Debbie
Two-year-old Debbie Lincoln, who debuts from the pole in the Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night, also caught the eye at the same trials meeting.
Out fast from the inside draw, she set up a big early lead on five Steve and Amanda Telfer-trained babies and fought strongly in the run home, bowing only late to Iron Heart.
“She has a lot of ability but that’s the first time she’s got round without galloping. If she can do that again I’ll be happy.
“She’s a little bit nervy but we seem to be getting on top of that.”
Green said he was not expecting the Lather Up filly to beat the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained favourites given how much she has to learn.
“But I think she’ll be a tidy filly when she develops further. She’s certainly got the speed.”
Leo Lincoln paced under 2:40 at Cambridge last start. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Leo Lincoln, the third runner for Lincoln Farms on Friday night, won no friends with his trial last Thursday, finishing sixth and well behind Duchess Megxit. But Green said he was prepared to forgive the run given he was only there for a hit-out and the top class filly dashed her last quarter in 26.5.
Leo Lincoln is the lowest rated horse in the R48 to R60 race but as a consequence gets the inside draw, an identical scenario to his last start at Cambridge.
And, from the trail that night he bowed only late to brilliant finisher Little Spike and Vessem, running a blistering 2:39.6.
“He’ll go well again,” Green said.
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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.
