Tyson in the right form to deliver a knockout punch at Cambridge on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 15 January 2025
Bookies are taking no chances with Tyson at Cambridge on Friday night, opening him a $3.20 favourite despite the colt facing higher rated opposition.
But, as Lincoln Farms co-trainer Ray Green puts it, while there are a couple of tidy horses in the fifth race, Tyson’s form is superior.
In his last start, at Auckland on December 13, Tyson (R44) finished just half a neck and a length behind classy R60 pacers Chase Me and Youretheonethatiwant, the 1700 metres run in a 1:56.5 mile rate.
Tyson (Blair Orange) warming up for his last start when he ran a terrific third at Auckland.Parked for the last 1000 metres, Tyson was clocked over his final 800 in 55.9 and 400 in 27.9. With Chase Me just sold for big money to the Gary Hall stable in Perth, that form stacks up very nicely.
Tyson was also in great form in his previous run at Alexandra Park, pacing 2:41 for 2200 metres when three-quarters of a length second to talented stablemate Sugar Ray Lincoln, coming from second last and running easily the fastest last mile of 1:57.1.
Freshened since his last race a month ago, Tyson had a hit-out at the Pukekohe workouts last Friday, co-trainer Nathan Delany in the cart and liking the way he finished off the heat, albeit fifth of the five runners.
Last in the running, Tyson lost no ground on the winner, R59 pacer Always Flyin, who reeled off closing sectionals of 55.1 and 27.3 to clock an overall 2:33.9 for 2050m, a slick mile rate of 2:00.7.
Green said it was a good, fast workout, albeit on the newly resurfaced track which “is as good as any racetrack now.”
Top driver Zachary Butcher takes the reins on Friday night and Tyson leaves from gate three, from where he should get a nice run. The top two rated horses, Aye Aye Captain ($5.50) and Always B Stunning ($7) are drawn in the two outside alleys.
Onyx Shard, centre, has drawn to get a good trip in the last race.Butcher also drives Onyx Shard, whom Green rates a chance in the final race, the mare third equal favourite at $7.
After three runs in a new campaign, Onyx Shard is hard fit and, after leading, was gobbled up only in the last few strides in her last appearance on the course.
Drawn three, she should get every chance again unlike Lincoln La Moose ($14) who will need plenty of luck from gate five in the second race for junior drivers.
Delany takes the reins and will be looking to secure a better trip than the horse has had in his last two starts.
Lincoln La Moose was trapped three wide for the entire journey last start, yet still battled on well at the finish. And two starts back, he was caught at the back of the field on a slow speed, unable to make ground when the sprint when on.
“Hopefully he lobs and gets a good trip,” Green said. “If he does, he won’t be far away. If he’s left in the open, he over-races but, with a suck trip, he’ll come on at the finish.”
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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.
