Tommy Lincoln highballing along in front tonight for driver Mark Dux. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Tommy goes all the way, untouched, and there should be more easy kills to come in Brisbane
By Barry Lichter • 22 June 2021
Tommy Lincoln’s owners can look forward to a few more easy kills judging by the way the horse dispatched his opposition at his Albion Park debut tonight.
Lincoln Farms’ speedster was untroubled to pounce on an early lead and win by 11.5 metres, untouched, in a slick mile rate of 1:53.8 for the 1660 metres.
“He really put the boot into them,” said trainer Ray Green.
“It was only over a mile which suits him, against inferior opposition, and he’s got that big gate speed.
“The good thing is he’s still M0 over here so he can win three or four more before he steps up to open class.
“They’ll get progressively harder but he’s up to it and can run again on Saturday week.”
Tommy Lincoln, who started at the restrictive odds of $1.30 after the late scratching of The Hervey Bay, posted closing sectionals of 54.9 and 27.1 for driver Mark Dux to easily stave off a late run by second favourite Ranger Bomb.
He earned $A4582 for the win, the ninth of his career, taking his bankroll to more than $100,000 for Shannon and Brenda Flay, Ian, Kathy and Daniel Parkinson, Debbie Sparks, Ray Menzies, Dennis Ebert, Ian Middleton and John and Lynne Street.
American Dealer might have finished only 20 metres fourth in his Brisbane opener but his run was full of merit and gained a good pass mark from Green and Dux.
“Mark was very happy with his run,” Green said. “He was first-up since the Jewels and was onto it - when Mark asked him to run he really hooked into it.”
Green said the 54.3 and 26.3 closing sectionals run by the leader, the favourite Ilikemebettor, put paid to the Dealer’s chances, who was stuck one out and three back behind horses who couldn’t improve.
“He’s gone as good as the winner as he was wider (three wide when improving from the 400).
“He also put in a couple of steps on the corners but we’ll be working on that.”
The 2138 metres was cut out in the fast time of 2:34, a mile rate of 1:55.9.
“I thought it was a good run. And tonight wasn’t a target race, it was more like a glorified trial.”
NB: The website result listed American Dealer as having had a gear failure but Green said that was just the horses’ bumper wrap coming off in the run home.
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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.
