Tommy Lincoln … got far too keen after a false start last week. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Tommy out to take no prisoners on Saturday - all he needs is a bit more air in his lungs
By Barry Lichter • 24 March 2022
A false start prevented us from watching Tommy Lincoln race at Redcliffe last week - and it also put paid to the horse’s chances.
Tommy’s followers cursed when a false start was declared and the race was kicked to Sky channel 2, meaning Trackside viewers couldn’t watch it.
But worse, having to follow the gate round for an extra lap fired the horse up and trainer Mark Dux says Tommy’s race was virtually all but over before it began.
On gate release Tommy was very keen and holding Ideal World out wide until he paced roughly, in all likelihood touched a knee, and driver Angus Garrard had to take hold.
“Tommy’s not a horse you can drag back and I’m sure he cut his air off. Brendan Barnes, who got in front of him on Deus Ex, said he couldn’t hear Tommy breathing for 300 to 400 metres so he wasn’t getting air properly.”
Despite landing the one-one Tommy was done before the home turn and laboured home 18 metres behind winner Speech Is Silver.
“He walked home and that’s not Tommy, no matter how hard a run he has he doesn’t drop out like that.”
Dux also reported Tommy blew up over the back afterwards. “He had a groove down his back which normally happens when they cut their air off. They’ve only got to tuck their head in the wrong way when you grab them and he does get strong in the running anyway.”
Dux says to simply put the pen through the run.
“I cant see any reason why he can’t win over the shorter 1780 metres on Saturday in what is an easier field, one drop down from the main free-for-allers.
“We’ll be charging off the gate and holding the lead. I’ll be telling Angus to let them know his intentions straight away so they won’t try to cross and to drive him like he’s the best and take no prisoners.
“The six horse, It Aint The Money, will probably charge but it can’t cross us.
“If we’ve got to run time, sobeit. But when Tommy finds the lead he backs off pretty well, he doesn’t keep charging.”
Captain Nemo and Mark Dux … “he likes to wait for them.”Stablemate Captain Nemo, who runs two races later, also over the 1780 metre dash, should be in the money again, says Dux who was collared in the last few strides last week.
“He just got to the lead too soon last week. And once left in front he was happy to wait for them. That’s Nemo, he doesn’t knock himself around, he half eases up and waits for them then, when they get to him, he fights back.”
Dux isn’t too worried about Nemo’s tricky starting alley of four.
“He wanted to run off the gate the other night and I’d say he’ll do that again. I can’t lead - Blue Ivy will be the leader and will run along a bit - but if we can get up there without doing too much work and travel nicely, he’ll be right in it.
“He’ll race well again, he’s reliable, and I’m really happy with him, he’s done terrific this week.”
Captain Nemo, with a rating of 83 is the highest equal in the band five race, along with Betterthandiamonds, who has drawn the outside of the second row.
Tommy Lincoln races at 9.15pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
Captain Nemo races at 10.21pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.
