Top junior Angus Garrard reins Tommy Lincoln home last Saturday for his fifth win at Albion Park. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Yuk! Tommy right up against it from the outside but Al warns to watch the Hustler go
By Barry Lichter • 26 August 2021
Trainer Mark Dux has a word of warning for punters contemplating backing Tommy Lincoln at Albion Park on Saturday night.
“You’ll be taking your chances as there’s a good chance he’ll get a bad trip.”
While Tommy is the second lowest rated pacer in the field, he has been dealt the worst draw - on the outside of the gate.
That’s because the barriers were decided by the horses’ earnings in their last five starts - and Tommy has been slaying it in the last five weeks with three wins and a third.
It matters not that Tommy’s wins have been against a lesser class and that he’s a rating 98 horse compared with others who are ranked up to R119.
“It’s not really fair,” says Dux. “If they’d based it on ratings we’d have been laughing. (Tommy would have drawn two and been a definite contender in his favourite role on the front end.)
“We are right up against it from the draw because we don’t know where he’ll be (in the running).
“I’m sure he can’t lead from out there and if he ends up back in the field and they go slow, it will make it very tough for him.”
Dux welcomed news that Al Barnes is talking a big game with former Lincoln Farms’ flagbearer Northview Hustler, signalling he’ll be leading and running time.
“Will The Wizard (gate three) also has a lot of gate speed and could pressure Northview Hustler. I’d be happy to see Al go hard and park him - it would be better for Tommy and suit a lot of the others too, like Mach Da Vinci.
“This is a fair bit harder than the races Tommy has been winning but he is going well and there’s no reason why he won’t race well again.
“As long as Angus (Garrard) can find a bit of cover for him I wouldn’t write him off completely.”
Dux says despite racing on each of the last five Saturdays, and having some hard runs, Tommy is showing no sign of being tired.
Last Saturday he led, ripped a middle half in 55.3, and cruised home to beat Mach Da Vinci by 2.9 metres in a 1:54.9 mile rate for the 2138 metres.
“He’s actually doing pretty well, nowhere near over the top, but this will be a hard race for him so I might miss next Saturday and give him an easier week.”
Northview Hustler has benefitted from a good break and draws to lead on Saturday night. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Trained to the minute
Barnes, who bought Lincoln Farms out of Northview Hustler at the end of his last campaign when he was really struggling with ongoing fetlock joint and tendon problems, believes he has the veteran “trained to the minute”.
“He’s jumping out of his skin and will be very hard to beat,” Barnes said.
“When we injected his joints last Thursday it was the first time in two years that they’ve been clean. The vet was amazed at how good they were.
“He’s put on bulk and looks a million dollars.”
Barnes says with long time state champ Colt Thirty One past his best there’s an opening now for a new pacer to dominate the free-for-all ranks.
“I want to make a statement on Saturday and get a bit of respect back for the Hustler and show them he’s back.
“It will be a good race, there’ll be no walking.
“I hope they’re not upset when I park Tommy!”
* Waikato groupies Carl Officer and Stu Cappie retained a small share in Northview Hustler when he was sold in April.
Tommy Lincoln races at 8.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Street’s emotion-charged night in the winners’ room - sad loss before a record four wins
It’s green jackets all the way and Ray fancies improving surprise packet Prince Lincoln
The Lincoln Wave secret is well and truly out now, but who was that mystery underbidder?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
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.
