Ray Green checking out Copy That at Lincoln Farms last Saturday with stable foreman Andrew Drake.
Ray back in hospital ‘after going downhill fast’ but improving and knows he must take it easy
By Barry Lichter • 7 December 2022
As much as Ray Green would love to be at Alexandra Park on Friday night to see Copy That race he knows that wouldn’t be wise after being re-admitted to Middlemore Hospital yesterday afternoon.
Green, 77, was feeling “pretty crook” yesterday prompting the district nurse to dispatch him to hospital.
Green was discharged from Middlemore last Friday seemingly recovering well from a seven-hour operation to repair internal damage after being kicked in the stomach by a young horse.
He was back at Lincoln Farms’ stable the next morning, checking on the team and watching a few workouts.
“Possibly I was overdoing it a bit. I got tired pretty quickly but was feeling OK until yesterday when I went downhill fast.
“I was losing more fluid than I was taking in but they’re working hard to get my potassium level right again. They’re doing a good job, throwing everything at me.
“I’ve had cat scans, ECGs, you name it, I’ve had it. But I think the biggest problem is that, with the stoma bag, I’m not fully utilising the food going into me.
“I’ve got a drip now. They’re poking a lot of stuff into me and I’m vastly improved on yesterday.”
12kg loss in weight
Green said in the two weeks he’s been out of action he’s lost 12kg in weight - he didn’t eat anything for the first five days after his surgery.
“I’m a bit weak and just need to take it easy and let nature take its course. It was a serious injury with a big surgery and all that takes its toll.
“I’ve got to be realistic. I’d like to think I’m making progres but I think I’m just getting to the levelling out stage.”
Green said he had no idea how long he will be kept in hospital - “But I don’t think they’ll be cutting me loose too soon.
“I doubt I’ll be able to go to the races on Friday. That might be detrimental to my progress. But the horses are all in good hands, everyone at the farm knows their job, and Blair’s (Orange) coming up to drive five of them.
“I live in hope but have to be realistic and take stock of what’s happened.”
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Omaha Lincoln
4.49pm
“He’s never been to Cambridge, and it’s his first time off the place, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go well - he’s certainly got enough speed to do the business. It’s guesswork trying to assess him against the others but I think he’ll do everything right so he’s a chance.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
6.51pm
“She is a bit one-dimensional - she’ll take charge of proceedings when the gate leaves. She could get parked but if she got a cheque I’d be happy.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.22pm
“He was taking ground off the winner last week and I don’t think the step up to 2700 will make much difference, he’s race fit now. He’ll do what he can do, he’s no champion, but he’s got the draw, he steps well and he won’t be far away.”
Race 7: Lincoln Wave
7.52pm
“The draw is awkward over the sprint distance at Cambridge but he’s absolutely capable of being right in the fray if he happened to get a good trip - he’s an improver every time he goes to the races. Not many of the others have run 1:54.”
Race 7: Sammy Lincoln
7.52pm
“I thought he did well to finish third last week after being parked out. The draw makes it very hard but he’s got real speed and if he dropped into it late, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got home really well.”
Race 10: Spiritual Bliss
9.24pm
“They’ll know they’ve been to the races if she gets any kind of trip. She was parked the whole way last time in 1:52 and wasn’t far off them. I don’t really want to see her parked again but you’d think Tytate would duck for cover knowing we’d say in front. She’s tough and reliable - she hasn’t gone a bad race since we’ve had her - and you know she’ll put herself in the race.”
Race 10: Ultimate Cullect
9.24pm
“The outside is not a good draw for her but, if they go hard, it will suit her.”
