Tommy Lincoln powers home for a close last-start third behind Manila Playboy and Northview Hustler.
Tommy’s racing super and early fireworks likely at Albion Park on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 3 March 2023
Tommy Lincoln is racing right at the top of his game but his chances at Albion Park on Saturday night will hinge squarely on what happens in the first few hundred metres.
Two weeks ago, as a $51 outsider, Tommy overcame a second row draw to power up the sprint lane for a close third in a sizzling 1:52.59 mile rate for the 1660 metres.
This time he moves up to what appears to be a good front row draw over 2138 metres but, with fast beginner Rock Bottom drawn the pole, trainer Mark Dux says crossing to the front won’t be a given.
“It would be lovely if we could lead out then hand to Turn It Up. If we can get on his back we could run a good second, if not test him.
“But I’m not confident we can cross. Rock Bottom has good gate speed and we’ve had to sit outside him before.”
Dux knows it won’t be easy getting on top of Rock Bottom given he is a stablemate of Turn It Up but says Tommy will get nothing if you try to drag him back and he starts over-racing.
“So we’ll go forward and just play it by ear. He’s racing super so we’ll give him his chance.”
On the other hand, it will be steady-as-she-goes with Captain Nemo earlier in the night when he tackles a strong field in the third race as the lowest equal rated horse.
“This is a tough race for him and he’ll find it hard. I would have kept him for Tuesday instead but those races haven’t been getting off the ground.
“There are a couple in here that ran second and third in the free-for-all last week (Cardlesfromheaven and Star Galleria).”
Captain Nemo’s form has dropped right away in his last three starts but Dux says he’s had “a couple of average trips”.
“I reckon we’ll come out steady on him this week and let him do his own thing. He’s better driven that way.
“I’m happy with his work and, even though it’s a tough field, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran a good race.”
Captain Nemo races at 9.41pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Tommy Lincoln races at 12.45am at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Good luck Nate! New era at Lincoln Farms as stable junior joins in training partnership
Speedy Frisco Bay can kick-start good New Year’s Eve for Lincoln Farms on Tuesday
Ray hoping Santa comes early at Cambridge on Tuesday with strong team of seven
Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling
Our runners this week
Friday night at Cambridge
Onyx Shard, Commander Lincoln, Lincoln La Moose.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Tuesday at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
3.39pm
“He’s a beautiful horse, and a quality mover, who’s finally demonstrating his ability. He’s done a lot of work and has had a good, solid build-up so he’ll cop a bit of racing now and I don’t see why he won’t be in it again.”
Race 2: Frisco Bay
3.39pm
“If you put him in front or in the breeze he over-races. He needs a run where he can relax in behind - every time he’s got a two-hole trip he’s won. He’s a bit one-dimensional in that respect but he’s got a lot of speed and, if he’d drawn better, I’d have labelled him.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lou
4.04pm
“On paper, he should be favourite. You can’t fault that last run in the Golden Gait and if he repeats that he’s the one to beat. He seems to be back to where we had him before. He’s been incredibly unlucky in a lot of his races. We don’t need good luck, we’re just looking for no bad luck.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
4.04pm
“I can’t see him beating our other two. I don’t think we’ll see the best of him until well into his three-year-old year. He’s a big, rangy, slow developing horse. We’ll race him on Tuesday then give him a bit of a break.”
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
4.04pm
“I know this is a step-up in grade, and she’s drawn the outside, but I’ve got a feeling she could be up to it. Her driver, Maurice McKendry, is very enthusiastic about her and he’s no fool. He’s been happy every time he’s sat behind her. She keeps getting better and potentially could be a high class three-year-old filly. I’m quite excited about her.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
4.30pm
“He won’t burn off any quick beginners but he showed he could hold his own from the inside when he won two starts back. He’s just got to do it without doing anything tricky. He can pace roughly, he’s not the complete package yet, but when the penny drops he’ll be a serious horse.”
Race 9: The Big Lebowski
7.17pm
“I wasn’t disappointed with his last run. It’s hard to win those races from long back marks at Cambridge - Copy That had to go a New Zealand record to do it. He’s as good as he can be at the moment but these are the best horses in commission and we’ll be grateful for what we can get.”
