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Ray Green gave Andre Poutama the choice of drives - and he plumped for Lincoln Lou.
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.
More news in Harness
Ray’s view on Friday’s Sires’ Stakes heat: Sugar Ray getting stronger all the time
Ray’s swift-footed cheapie Frisco Bay eyes $35,000 stake of Metro Final next Friday
Talented Frisco Bay trials like he’s ready to make waves at Auckland on Friday night
Lincoln Farms welcomes back Copy That and latest reports positive about The Big Lebowski
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
![Ray Green](/site/assets/files/14856/af3f0a01e1378786b459d9096eaec4d6.200x200-u1i1s1q90f1.jpg)
Ray’s comments
Tuesday night at Cambridge
Race 6: Commander Lincoln
7.37pm
“He finished on well in the amateur drivers’ race last time but this will be a lot tougher for him. From two he should get a good trip and we’ll just hope for some milk money.”
Race 6: Im Not The Maid
7.37pm
“She’s surprised me, she’s developed into a better horse than I expected and is racing really well. She showed good gate speed to lead from six last time so it should be more of the same from three. It’s a better field this time but the 1700 metres will suit her and so will Todd Mitchell.”
![Ray Green](/site/assets/files/14856/af3f0a01e1378786b459d9096eaec4d6.200x200-u1i1s1q90f1.jpg)
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Lincoln La Moose
6.27pm
“Pulling that flat tyre last time definitely would have made it harder for him so it was a good effort to run a close fourth. He’ll get his chance from the inside draw.”
Race 2: Obadiah Dragon
6.27pm
“He could be our best of the night. He’s been going good races all along and has just got back a bit too far in some of them. He closed very well last week and gets a better draw this time.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
6.27pm
“He got blown out of it last time with two checks, which was so annoying when he was in the one-one. Prior to that he’d hardly ever missed a cheque. He has a tricky draw to overcome.”
Race 4: Frisco Bay
7.30pm
“Last week he showed he’s up with the nice three-year-olds. He’d have to beat this lot to really stamp himself but I’m hoping he can pick up some of the money. On paper, barrier four gives him an advantage on the favourites.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.20pm
“He was very wide most of the way last time and was closing better than anything in the race. He trialled well last week. He’s coming to it and getting stronger as he matures.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lou
8.20pm
“The outside draw makes it very difficult for him but he’s a good little horse who is getting stronger all the time.”