Street hoping Brian Christopher can do his late nephew proud at Manawatu on Tuesday

Lincoln Farms owner John Street would like nothing better than for Brian Christopher to morph into a big winner.

But in all likelihood that will never happen - and if he’s only a battler, as seems likely, Street is OK with that too as it will remind him even more of the late nephew he named the horse after.

Brian Christopher Glass died in 2010 after a 45 year struggle with spina bifida, a memoriam in June this year saying “it seems like yesterday that your brave heart stopped beating.”

Brian Christopher Glass died in June, 2010.Glass will again be remembered on Tuesday when Brian Christopher goes round in the last race at Manawatu, handicapped by an inside second row draw.

Brian Glass was handicapped his entire life, Street recalling he had 90 operations for his condition which left him in a wheelchair.

“I had several cars modified for him and helped out so he could live as close to a normal life as possible.

“He loved his horses, he raced Tuscany Warrior (6 wins, 2003 Winter Cup) with us and used to follow all the Lincoln Farms team.”

In 2019 Street decided to remember Glass in his own way, choosing to rename one of his most prized yearling buys that year, a $140,000 son of champion stallion Bettor’s Delight and Kamwood Elsie.

So Dior Sauvage became Brian Christopher and Street gifted Glass’ mum, his sister Bev, a share and also took in his brother Kevin and his wife Glenis into the ownership.

But while the horse showed early potential - with the stable name Geronimo he was the favourite of former stable foreman Phil Sattler - he has not yet lived up to his breeding. His full sister was 13-race winner Lancewood Lizzie, winner of a Harness Jewels and Franklin Cup.

Street says Brian Christopher is a big horse who doesn’t help himself by touching a knee, which sees him wear a spreader on one leg.

Brian Christopher, left, after a workout at Pukekohe.“He lacks a bit of speed and needs more time. They say he’ll win races but he’s no superstar. Hopefully the trip to Palmerston North will help him grow up.”

Brian Christopher made his debut at Cambridge in July when second last, not a true reflection given he was hampered on the first turn and ended up out the back.

Trainer Ray Green gave the horse his final tune-up for Manawatu at Saturday’s Pukekohe workouts when he led his 2050 metre heat, was sooled along by driver Zachary Butcher in the run home, and managed to hold second behind Dolce Vita, in a moderate mile rate of 2:03.4 and OK closing sectionals of 57.5 and 28.5.

* Both Street’s sister Bev and brother Kevin have enjoyed success in previous Lincoln Farms’ horses. Glass had a share in the good galloper Justanexcuse, winner of 10 races and $306,000 including the 2011 Douro Cup. And Kevin and Glenys had a share in the ill-fated Mikki Street, winner of six races and $268,000 including the 2006 Zabeel Classic.