Leo Lincoln outsprints the favourite Irish Whispers at Cambridge. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Ray: Little Leo’s no star but he’s the kind of horse everybody would love to own
By Barry Lichter • 12 May 2024
Little Leo Lincoln might not be in the top echelon of three-year-olds but trainer Ray Green says he’d still love to own him outright.
Green races the Art Major gelding with Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street, Ian Middleton, Glenn and Ann Cotterill and Phil Kelly and says he’s the kind of horse everybody would love to own.
Though he registered only his fourth win at Cambridge last Thursday night he took his earnings to $43,760 because he’s never far from the money.
In 21 starts Leo’s also racked up four seconds, three thirds, three fifths and five sixths, never failing to raise the adrenalin of his owners.
“He’s a good, little horse and has been right from the start. I could have had a share in him or Lincoln La Moose but chose Leo because he was the more forward.
Leo Lincoln looked the goods even as a weanling.“He looked pretty good even as a weanling - at $27,000 he was one of the top lots of that sale.
“He hasn’t grown into a big horse like I thought he would, he’s small to average size, but you don’t have to be big to be good in this game.
“He’s getting stronger all the time and, while he’ll obviously have to lift his game a little further down the road, I think he’ll be competitive at Auckland.”
Only one of Leo Lincoln’s wins have so far come at Alexandra Park but he’s run with distinction against some talented rivals there.
“It’s his speed that will carry him. We know he’s got some speed and that’s where the favourite at Cambridge the other night (Irish Whispers) was vulnerable. While he’s a pretty nice horse, he seems to lack quick speed.”
So when Green saw driver Maurice McKendry land the one-one trail last week, he knew Leo would be a good chance to reel in the leader.
“I can’t believe more people don’t want to buy him. We had one inquiry yesterday but, even though we still don’t know what’s happening with the industry here, we don’t really want to sell him. We’ve sold quite a few of ours recently.”
In recent weeks two former Lincoln Farms intermediate graders have been in winning form across the Tasman, Simply Sam at Menangle in 1:51.3 and Lincoln River at Maryborough in 1:54.4.
“Frankie Major’s apparently ready to go too.”
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“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.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good 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.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“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. 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.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
