Ray tells why he rates Lincoln Lou clearly best of Lincoln Farms’ quartet in the fourth race

Trainer Ray Green doesn’t hesitate when asked to name the best of his four runners in the fourth race at Auckland on Friday night.

Green says punters needn’t waste time trying to rank Lincoln Farms’ quartet of Lincoln La Moose, Obadiah Dragon, Lincoln Lou and Sugar Ray Lincoln.

“Even if Lincoln Lou is half a run short, I don’t think it will matter, he’ll still be too good for this lot.”

Green says while he had to withdraw Lincoln Lou from his assignment a couple of weeks ago, when he was lethargic and tests showed he had a virus, the colt didn’t miss a lot of work.

“It was only a mild case but he had it enough to cause him harm had we raced him.”

Lincoln Lou came right with treatment and had trained on well since, Green said.

“He feels pretty good and if I was betting man, I’d bet him for sure.”

Lincoln Lou … pictured beating Sadhaka at Auckland in March. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.To know why Green is so bullish about the two-year-old, who is taking on older rivals on Friday night, you have only to watch his previous start at Auckland on June 13.

Checked into a gallop by Sugar Ray Lincoln on the first turn, the Sweet Lou colt settled 50 metres behind the leader and was still detached from the pack by 10 lengths going into the last 800 metres.

From there he was officially clocked to run home in 55.3, a full second and half faster than Stonewall’s impressive winner Bar Louie.

Lincoln Lou only managed to catch the back of the field at the top of the lane and, blocked for a run, Monica Ranger had to switch him wider out from where he powered home for third, only four lengths from the winner, pacing his last 400 in 27.3, again the fastest in the race.

Lincoln Lou’s time for the mile of 1:56.1 was an extraordinary effort given the circumstances.

Green said he gave driver Andre Poutama the choice of drives on Lincoln Lou or improving three-year-old Lincoln La Moose and wasn’t surprised he chose the two-year-old.

“But Lincoln La Moose is a pretty good horse too. He was still below his best last time at Cambridge - he needed the race - but went very well for second behind King’s Watch.

“With his ace draw, he should be right up there for Zac (Butcher). He always looked a bit delicate but he’s got tougher.”

Sugar Ray Lincoln is smart but has a few colty tricks.Coming of age

Green says Sugar Ray Lincoln is still in the “coming of age” phase and, even though he generally doesn’t worry about draws, the colt would need luck out in seven.

Sugar Ray looked to have his chance last time at Auckland when beaten two noses by Always B Misty and Turn O The Tide.

“He rushed up beside them and wanted to lay all over them and give them a hug. But that’s normal coltish behaviour. He does that in training as well, rushes up and switches off. “

Cardigan Bay used to be like that - he wouldn’t go past another horse - and that’s why they sold him originally.

“Some horses have little behaviour traits like that and Sugar Ray has a few we need to get on top of. But colts get over it eventually.”

Obadiah Dragon, while in a solid patch of form, would struggle to match his stablemates, Green said.

“He’ll go a good race but the others look better here. His last run was below par for him so we took a blood off him and he had a bit of a virus going on.

“He was at the tail end of it but it was enough to stop him.”

My Copy might be the highest rated horse in race six, a Winter Rewards Final, but under the preferential barrier draw, that means he faces a big task from four on the second row.

“He’s very honest though and if opportunity knocks, he’ll be right there. If he gets a trip, he’s always ready to pounce.”

Lincoln Farms’ final runner of the night is the talented but green Tyson and, in our separate story, Green tells what he’s been doing this week to hopefully turn him around.