Trainer Ray Green and driver Maurice McKendry compare notes on Sugar Ray Lincoln’s run.
Unanimous decision by Ray and Maurice - Sugar Ray’s the real deal all right
By Barry Lichter • 9 March 2024
He didn’t win - but you wouldn’t have known it judging by the way trainer Ray Green and driver Maurice McKendry were talking.
That Sugar Ray Lincoln had inherited plenty of older brother Copy That’s rare ability was not in doubt when the pair shared their views on the merit of his run for second at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
Sugar Ray Lincoln, second from right, fights back for second.Forced to sit parked for the last lap after an aborted attack for the front, Sugar Ray boxed on bravely to fight his way into second, running a mile rate of 1:57.5, five seconds faster than his stablemate Lincoln Lou clocked in winning a couple of races earlier.
“He’s serious, the real deal,” McKendry said. “And once he learns what to do after a few runs we’ll see a very nice horse.”
Green was thrilled with the debut performance and the way McKendry handled the inexperienced colt, giving him just one little tap up the home straight.
“Coming across the top I thought if he ran third it would be a good run,” Green said.
But Sugar Ray did better than that, outmuscling by a head the favourite I Got Chills who had denied him the lead in their stoush just before the bell.
I Got Chills and Zachary Butcher say no to Maurice McKendry and Sugar Ray Lincoln as they come looking for the lead a lap from home.“We buzzed a bit there,” said McKendry who came out from three pegs to avoid being trapped.
Asked by Green if the two-year-old paced well, McKendry relied yes, barring a brief few steps soon after the start.
Forced to ease the colt when eventual winner Confederate managed to squeeze into the trail ahead of him, McKendry said Sugar Ray got a bit bunched up. “He went rough, put in a funny wee step, and touched the cart.”
When prompted that he might need his cart hitched further out, Green noted Sugar Ray was well on his way to growing into a nice, big horse.
“He’s come to it quickly, hasn’t he Ray,” McKendry said. “He went 1:59 the other day and tonight he’s down to 1:57.5.”
McKendry brings Sugar Ray back after his terrific debut.Green delighted in answering McKendry when asked how much the horse cost: “We got him for $60,000. I thought he was the best colt in the sale and would be $300,000. But people don’t think lightning can strike twice in the same place.”
Sugar Ray, with earnings of $2325, still has a way to go yet, however, before he catches his older brother Copy That, winner of 33 races and more than $2 million.
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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.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 3: Onyx Shard
6.38pm
Update: Scratched
“She can get some of it. She has a good draw so should get a good trip. She’s training on well.”
Race 4: Commander Lincoln
7.09pm
“The draw doesn’t matter with him as he’s not one to leave the gate. I thought he went super last time. He got home really well and was unlucky not to run second or even win.”
Race 7: Lincoln La Moose
8.33pm
“Forget that last run. He half choked when Zac tried to restrain him and started pulling. He’s got a better draw this time, should hop straight into the trail, and hopefully get home as well as when he won the time before.”
