Tommy Lincoln, back from bone chip surgery, has won $51,455 this season.
Tommy’s not ready to slay any more giants just yet but he’s back on the battlefield
By Barry Lichter • 11 May 2021
Giant-killer Tommy Lincoln gets back on track at Auckland on Thursday night but trainer Ray Green doubts he’s ready to be doing any serious slaying just yet.
When Tommy Lincoln was last in work he claimed the scalps of Lincoln Farms’ superstar Copy That and topliner Star Galleria among his four wins and three seconds.
But the four-year-old was stopped in his tracks by bone chips in both front ankles which were surgically removed last December.
“He’s looking good again now,” says Green. “The prognosis for ankles is good, it’s bone chips in the knees that can be dodgy.”
Tommy Lincoln has shown no sign of soreness since resuming work and goes into Friday’s seventh race with three workouts under his belt, finishing second in his latest two behind talented types American Dealer and B D Joe.
Tommy Lincoln paces 1:54.4 in beating Star Galleria and Dance Time at Auckland last October. PHOTO: Megan Liefting.Last Saturday he showed his customary gate speed to lead and, after being attacked hard by Hot And Treacherous from the 400, rallied bravely to go under by only three-quarters of a length to B D Joe. The 2050 metres was cut out in a slick 1:58.7 mile rate with terrific closing sectionals of 56.9 and 26.5.
“He’ll go a good race on Friday, because he’s very honest, but I still think he’ll need a couple of starts to get really fit.
“He’s fronted up to some serious horses in the past but whether he’s fit enough to do that on Friday I would doubt. But you’ve got to start somewhere.”
Before his injury in December, Tommy had won $51,455 this season for his owners Shannon and Brenda Flay, Ian, Kathy and Daniel Parkinson, Debbie Sparks, Ray Menzies, Dennis Ebert, Ian Middleton and John and Lynne Street.
Captain Nemo, who was tailed off last in the same workout heat last Saturday, lands the pole in the opening race and that gives him at least some chance against much tougher opposition than he’s been racing.
Captain Nemo’s form line looks good, but it includes wins at Palmerston North and Cambridge against far inferior rivals.
“There are a few in there who are better than him,” says Green. “But if he holds up early from the good draw, and gets a nice trip, he’s capable of running a slot.”
Captain Nemo has a poor record at Alexandra Park with just two placings there from 17 starts.
Meanwhile, Green is set to trial Copy That at Pukekohe on Friday, on the lookout for another race for the champ before the Harness Jewels on June 6.
Speedster has sore foot
But American Dealer has been on the easy list since Saturday when he pulled a shoe in his paddock, stood on a nail and punctured the sole of his foot.
“He’s got a sore foot but hopefully it will resolve itself by tomorrow.
“It’s just an inconvenience. He’s fairly well advanced after his race last Friday.”
American Dealer might have run only fourth fresh-up, pacing 2:39.9, but his effort to come from last was exceptional as he scorched his last 800 metres in a seldom bettered 53.7 and 400 in 26.2, the same as winner Warloch.
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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.
