Ray: Little Leo’s under-rated and he can give them a hurry-up at Auckland on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 1 May 2024
Leo Lincoln might be the equal lowest rated horse in the field at Auckland on Friday night but he’s no forlorn hope, says trainer Ray Green.
Rated 47, the Art Major three-year-old takes on better performed rivals rated up to 61 in the ninth race at Alexandra Park but his recent efforts suggest he’s right up to the task.
“He’s an under-rated horse, as good as those others,” says Green.
“He’s proving to be a tidy horse and, while he’s not viewed as a serious player by some, I think he is. He was closing off really well last week behind Hugotastic.”
Three back on the markers, Leo came with a strong home stretch charge to be just three-quarters of a length away at the line, recording closing sectionals of 56.6 and 27.9, his overall clocking of the 2200 metres a slick 2:40.8.
Drawn well in two, Green can see Leo getting another cruisy run on the pegs and giving the 61-raters Skipper and Bad Medicine, both badly drawn, plenty to think about.
Green is not so confident of the Lincoln Farms’ pair Lincoln Lou and Sugar Ray Lincoln filling placings in the $110,000 Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes.
They’re out of contention but both Lincoln Lou (Andre Poutama) and Sugar Ray Lincoln (Maurice McKendry) are closing strongly.“Lincoln Lou is a beautiful little horse who doesn’t do anything wrong. He got held up at a crucial time last week and got home well (for sixth).
“He gets out pretty well so should get a good trip from two. He’ll go his usual honest race. He’s improving all the time, he’s a gutsy little guy, but whether he can measure up to the favourites remains to be seen.”
Green is doing no more than hope Sugar Ray Lincoln can do things right.
Last week Sugar Ray turned on another display reminiscent of the early version of his older brother Copy That when he mixed his gait in the opening stages and tailed the field by nearly 10 lengths.
“He’s a work in progress and we’re still dabbling with his gear,” Green said.
Sugar Ray Lincoln is all of 10 lengths behind the field at the bell.Sugar Ray struggled to get his head round tighter hopples last week, “trying to plait his legs”, and it wasn’t until the last 800 metres that he started pacing smoothly for driver Maurice McKendry.
His late charge, albeit in eighth place, nine lengths from winner Demon Blue, gave a hint of the ability under the bonnet.
“He’s actually a naturally good-gaited horse, like all the American Ideals, but he’s going through a stage of not really knowing why he’s out there.
“You just don’t know when he’ll click but three is an ideal draw for him and he should be handy if he does things right.”
With little in the immediate future to aim at, both two-year-olds will go for a spell after the race, says Green.
More news in Harness
‘The Kid’ flying but Argyle up against it to add good points in novel drivers’ challenge
Street’s emotion-charged night in the winners’ room - sad loss before a record four wins
It’s green jackets all the way and Ray fancies improving surprise packet Prince Lincoln
The Lincoln Wave secret is well and truly out now, but who was that mystery underbidder?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.
