Alexandra Park is set to become a ghost town on race nights.
Sorry team, drinks are off at the Park while coronavirus clampdown is in place
By Barry Lichter • 18 March 2020
Extreme measures adopted to restrict the spread of coronavirus mean Lincoln Farms won’t be able to extend the usual hospitality to our owners on race nights for the foreseeable future.
In case you weren’t aware, the governing bodies of all three racing codes, harness, thoroughbreds and greyhounds, yesterday announced that race meetings will be conducted as “closed doors” events starting today.
This followed the government’s decree banning gatherings of more than 500 people in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic which has seen 20 confirmed cases in New Zealand and the deaths of more than 7900 people worldwide.
The only people permitted to attend race meetings will be those jockeys and drivers competing, trainers with runners engaged, stable staff advised to the club and essential raceday personnel.
The restriction will be in place at least until April 13, and probably longer, but at this stage there are no plans to cancel meetings.
The unprecedented move is designed to protect the livelihoods of the 15,000 or more people who earn their living directly from the industry, and to ensure owners don’t suffer from the loss of stake money.
We’ll still be able to watch televised coverage of our runners - it just means Lincoln Farms’ office in the Alexandra Park birdcage will be out of action.
Good luck everyone, stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you again as soon as things return to normal.
John and Lynne Street.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“She didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
