Tommy’s chance to show what he’s got against strong opposition at Redcliffe on Saturday
By Barry Lichter • 18 March 2022
Trainer Mark Dux expects Tommy Lincoln to be right in the fight despite tackling a strong line-up at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
Dux takes Lincoln Farms’ tough campaigner back to the tight north-east Brisbane circuit after his sterling first-up fourth last week.
“I was over the moon with his run last week,” Dux said.
“He ran a 27.52 last quarter (second fastest) and was four wide all the way round the bend. That made it very hard for him to run them down.”
This week Tommy moves from the second row to be perfectly slotted at two on the gate for driver Angus Garrard.
“I think he’ll probably lead from there and if he gets it a little bit steady at some stage he’ll be hard to beat.”
Dux says he expects pole runner Ohoka Chopper to hand up, just like he did to hotpot Deus Ex last week.
“He may have to do a bit to hold the lead, he could cop a bit of pressure from Will The Wizard and Ideal World, who both have gate speed, but I don’t think they’ll cross him.
“As long he doesn’t get absolutely smashed in the lead there’s no reason why he can’t win.
“He can handle a bit of pressure but too much and it might leave him vulnerable the last bit.”
With Deus Ex buried on the inside of the second row on Saturday night, L L Cool J also on the second line and Speech Is Silver drawn the outside of the arm, Tommy Lincoln would have his chance to show what he’s got.
“It’s a strong field but he’s up to the task.”
Mark Dux brings back Captain Nemo after his all-the-way win at Redcliffe last Saturday night.Stablemate Captain Nemo (race 2) steps up in grade on the company he beat last week and Dux finds the race quite tricky to read.
“There looks to be a lot of pressure in the race and I’m not sure where he’s going to be. We may well end up having to go back and poke along.
“Pacific Drums can really run the gate and if they light him up it could really be on for the first furlong. The harder they go, the better it will suit us. I hope they go like lunatics.”
Dux says he’s not too worried where Nemo lands - from three he could put himself on the pace so long as it’s not too hectic
“It will all come down to tempo.”
Where Nemo didn’t want to be was back on a slow speed.
“These horses regularly run time for their last sectionals so if you’re back and wide, especially at Redcliffe, you’re no hope.
“It will just come down to luck in the running.
“I’m really happy with both horses - they’ve done well during the week.”
Tommy Lincoln races at 8.40pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
Captain Nemo races at 9.10pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Ray: Preferential draw for top fillies makes it tough for everyone else in Golden Gait series
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Friday’s Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup all about the standing start manners of Aussie raider
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.”
