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
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.
