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.”
More news in Harness
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Thoughts for Lincoln Farms’ groupie Margaret Rabbitt after Johnny Lincoln braves it out
Lincoln Wave super and Sammy Lincoln super unlucky - two three-year-olds worth following
Long wait over to see why Lincoln Wave and Sammy Lincoln are fancied by Lincoln Farms
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
5.48pm
“Sammy Lincoln has a bit more speed than Lincoln Wave - he’s very fast for a big, rangy horse - but he might be vulnerable on Friday - he could experience difficulty on the corners going right-handed. He won’t be a maiden for long.”
Race 2: Lincoln Wave
5.48pm
“I’d say he’d be the more reliable of our two. He was clearly our best two-year-old before he got injured and we’ve waited a long time for him. He’s a powerful colt and should have a bright future.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.13pm
“The seven draw is a bit awkward but he’s trained on really well since Cambridge and I’m picking he’ll go really well.”
Race 8: Tyson
8.38pm
“He had a week off after his last run at Auckland, but I don’t think he’ll be short of a run. He’ll come back into the fray as tough as ever.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.38pm
“She was incredibly unlucky at Cambridge. The gap opened up for Harrison, he tried to push through, then it closed on him. If she led, she’d be the one to beat. She’s a nice mare and she’s pretty tough, she doesn’t give it up.”
Ray’s comments
Monday at Taupo
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
11.55am
“She’s been held up from awkward draws lately but gets the inside on Monday. She has limited ability but is racing really well and there are no superstars in the field. I think she’ll be fine on the grass as she’s good-gaited and wears no boots. She tries very hard and looks to have a decent show.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
2.17pm
“He’s the consummate tradesman, reliable and honest and deserves a win. He was only beaten by the passing lane runner last time after sitting parked for the last lap. He’s drawn to lead here and if he does that he’ll be hard to beat.”
