Talented Frisco Bay trials like he’s ready to make waves at Auckland on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 28 August 2024
Trainer Ray Green is looking forward to seeing Frisco Bay back on the track on Friday night after a strong workout win at Pukekohe.
It’s been three months since the Downbytheseaside three-year-old last raced but, based on his prep run alone, he is sure to have plenty of support in the second race at Alexandra Park.
After leading out then trailing last Thursday, Nathan Delany eased out Frisco Bay 400 metres from home to tackle the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained leader Hezasweetie (Zachary Butcher) and was strong to the post to score a one length win.
The gelding’s closing sectionals of 57.7 and 26.8 showed he had lost none of the speed which saw Green rate him potentially the best of his early season two-year-olds before a breathing issue thwarted his preparation.
When Frisco Bay started making a noise in his races and training runs it was discovered that two flaps were obstructing his airway and they were removed with relatively simple surgery.
It took several runs, however, and a few patient drives when Frisco Bay was allowed to gradually work into his races, before he learned his oxygen debt wouldn’t return.
Frisco Bay clocks a slick 2:40.9 winning at Cambridge in April. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.And last time in, Frisco Bay came into his own, competing in strong fields, running fast times, and bagging his maiden win on the Night Of Champions at Cambridge in April in 2:40.9.
Green, who bought Frisco Bay for just $9000 as a weanling, and now races him with Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street, said the horse’s breathing isn’t an issue any more.
“His form just looks bad because he’d had enough at the end of his last prep, but he’d done a good job.
“Frisky could develop into a really nice horse and he’s only got to replicate his workout run to be a chance. He hasn’t got the race fitness of the others but I’m sure he’ll go a good race.”
Green said he couldn’t fault the recent performances of stablemate Obadiah Dragon, drawn alongside Frisco Bay in five.
“There’s not a lot between them. Whichever one gets the best trip will finish closest.
“He’s another who could develop into quite a nice horse.”
Obadiah Dragon continued his run of powerful finishes last week at Auckland, pipping stablemate Lincoln La Moose for fourth behind Upstage. His closing sectionals of 55.9 and 26.7 were the second fastest in the race.
Lincoln Farms’ third runner for the evening, Leo Lincoln in the fourth race, is also resuming from a spell.
“He had a good break and he looks great,” Green said. “He won’t be driven on any search and destroy mission. Maurice (McKendry) will find a nice spot for him and, based on his work and trial, he’ll go a good race.”
Leo Lincoln finished third of three in his Pukekohe heat last Thursday, matching Better Knuckle Up and Mhai Surfer Girl for speed in the run home.
“There are some good ones in the field who are race fit but he’s hardly ever missed a cheque.”
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Our runners this week
Tuesday at Cambridge
Colonel Lincoln, Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Debbie Lincoln, Kevin Kline, Lincoln La Moose, The Big Lebowski.
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.51pm
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
Race 4: Onyx Shard
6.49pm
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw. She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Race 6: Colonel Lincoln
7.39pm
“He hasn’t raced for nearly 21 months but his training has been good and he should go well first-up. He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.04pm
“He’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn. It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.09pm
“He’ll be relying on a heap of good luck from the second row. His last run was a non-event. The poor little bugger couldn’t have done a better job of finding trouble. He’s trained on all right.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.09pm
“He’s training really well and he showed last time what a big motor he had, losing all that ground early and still getting up to win. He’s not famous for his gate speed but as long as he gets away safely then Maurice can put him in the race at the right time. There are a lot of horses in there that aren’t that safe who could stand on their ear. Navigating through them is always a worry. He’ll need some luck but he could give them a fright.”
Race 6: Frisco Bay
8.05pm
“He obviously can’t beat Duchess Megxit or Jeremiah but if he gets a good trip he’s a chance of getting some money. Things didn’t suit him last time - being out three wide then going to the front. He’s so hot, he over-races. He goes best if he’s allowed to slop out and find the back of something, when he generally relaxes. Even if he got back a bit, that would be all right, so long as he gets sucked along.”
