Watching brief for baffled Ray who puts Tyson squarely in the green corner for Cambridge
By Barry Lichter • 17 July 2024
He might be dropping in company but trainer Ray Green says he wouldn’t be rushing in to back Tyson at Cambridge on Friday night.
“He’s got me baffled at he moment so I want to see him go round again first,” says Green.
“He didn’t even go up to the gate last time at Auckland, which he did one day at the trials here.”
The Art Major colt, who struck trouble when the subject of a plunge on debut at Cambridge on July 5, was once again heavily backed in the two-year-old event at Alexandra Park on July 12 but never raised hopes.
Reluctant to score up, he was three lengths off the arm on dispatch, tailed the field throughout, paced roughly round the home turn and only battled up the straight to run last behind Always Be Misty and Turn O The Tide.
A shadow of the horse who beat that pair at the Pukekohe workouts in June, Tyson did little to impress driver Tony Herlihy.
“Tony said he’s got a lot to learn, so I’m putting it down to inexperience, but I know he’s a lot better than that.
“I’ve made a few minor gear changes including a different bit and, while it’s obviously a lot weaker bunch, he’s drawn out a bit and will need luck.”
Green says Lincoln La Moose is also a watch only in the sixth race from wide on the front line.
“We knew he was short of race fitness when he resumed and I think he’ll need another one.
“Seven is a tough draw even when you’re on your game.”
Lincoln La Moose, an impressive debut winner at Cambridge in March, was fresh off a two and a half month spell when he ran at Auckland on July 12, and after going back from his wide draw, was buried back on the fence and never in the hunt.
Commander Lincoln also returns to the scene of his sole win but Green isn’t too keen on his chances.
A battling fourth last time in an amateur event at Auckland, he switches to a junior drivers’ race but Green says Fergus Schumacher will have his work cut out.
“He’s an honest trooper - there are worse horses than him - but he needs a good trip and a lot of luck as he lacks a yard of speed.”
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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
“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.”
