Sugar Ray Lincoln rushes past Shake A Leg to score his first win. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Sugar Ray Lincoln and older bro’ Copy That two peas in a pod - bad boys made good
By Barry Lichter • 28 June 2024
Just how closely the career of Sugar Ray Lincoln is starting to mirror that of his older brother Copy That is not lost on Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green.
When the two-year-old came from the tail of the field on the home turn to run over the top of his rivals at Auckland on Thursday night, it was his sixth raceday start, belying his 2, 12, 8, 4, 6 formline.
Five years ago, in June, 2019, Copy That, also in his sixth start, turned around a similarly mediocre career record of 5, 5, 6, 5, 7.
Sugar Ray might not have laid down a seven-and-a-half length winning margin like Copy That, but he showed enough of a turn of foot to give Green plenty of hope for the future.
“This horse is very similar to Copy That in a lot of ways,” Green said. “He winds himself up a bit and Copy That was the same early on.
“Hopefully he finds Copy That’s kind of speed as well.”
Just like Copy That confounded his drivers when being educated, Sugar Ray is proving a challenge.
On Thursday night, Green didn’t put the horse’s kicking strap on (over his rump) and before the start he put the boot in.
“He barrelled the cart but luckily didn’t get a leg over the shaft. That seemed to get something out of his system because Maurice said he was perfect in the running.”
Uncannily, Sugar Ray has the same Houdini-like skills as Copy That of slipping out of his bridle if left tied-up unattended.
“They pull the same kind of antics but hopefully we’re on track with Sugar Ray now. We just want to see him keep going round without doing stupid things.
“It was a big relief seeing him do what he did tonight and he really outclassed them. With one hit on arse he really surged at them.”
Trainer Ray Green tried all kinds of gear on Copy That before the penny dropped.Sugar Ray clocked only 2:44.8 for the 2200 metres, a mile rate of 2:00.5, compared to Copy That’s 2:43.3 maiden win five years ago.
But he did it in only three and a half months, compared to the five months it took for the penny to drop with Copy That, now a $2 million earner.
“Times don’t mean much,” Green said. “They just tell you how the race was run and the middle stages were pretty slow.”
But Sugar Ray’s closing 800 of 56 gave Green plenty of reason to start searching programmes today for when the big two-year-old features like the Sires’ Stakes are being held later in the year.
“There’s nothing much for him for the next couple of months so we’ll just play it by ear. And so long as he behaves himself, he’ll stay a colt. I prefer racing colts.”
A couple of weeks of wet weather and the unavailability of Lincoln Farms’ vet saved Sugar Ray from being gelded after his last poor performance at Auckland on June 13.
“If he turns ugly and becomes a danger to himself or others, then we’ll look at it again.”
Sugar Ray Lincoln (American Ideal - Lively Nights), a $60,000 yearling, is raced by Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street, along with their business manager Ian Middleton, Green’s wife Debbie, and Phil Cook.
“Phil was rapt,” John Street said. “He won like a nice horse and I think it was even easier than it looked.”
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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.
