American interest in Queensland slayer Tommy Lincoln - the perfect horse for Yonkers
By Barry Lichter • 9 July 2021
Some eyes from afar were trained on Tommy Lincoln when he trounced this rivals again at Albion Park tonight.
And trainer Ray Green says if the American buyers are serious, his third best horse might not be a Lincoln Farms’ flag bearer for much longer.
“I reckon he’d be the perfect horse for America, particularly at a track like Yonkers, with his gate speed and his rolling in front style.”
Tommy Lincoln second-rated the field tonight, spearing to the early lead for driver Anthony Butt and winning as he liked in a 1:55.4 mile rate for the 2138 metres.
Tommy Lincoln cruises home.Butt reeled off opening quarters of 30.8 and 29.5 before putting away his opposition with a lightning fast 26.7 third quarter.
The horse only had to roll home in 27.9 to clock a closing half of 54.6 and take the event by 5.9 metres, former one-win Canterbury pacer Bettor Call Me best of the rest but never any danger.
“It was a gimme really, he was way better than them. It’s a huge drop in class on what he’s been racing in Auckland.
“That was an M0 tonight and he did it easily. And the next one won’t be terribly much harder I wouldn’t think.”
Green said Tommy Lincoln was his third best horse behind Copy That and American Dealer and he’d already done a great job winning 10 races and about $110,000 from only 32 starts.
“That’s pretty good for a horse who cost only $10,000 as a weanling.”
Green and Lincoln Farms’ boss John Street singled out the American Ideal youngster at the Karaka sales, taken not only by his strength but his pedigree. They’d already raced two of Tania Tandias’ progeny - Lincoln Road (14 wins) and Lincoln’s Girl (19 wins).
Anthony Butt brings Tommy back after his easy win.Marburg trainer Al Barnes bought Lincoln Road and later trained Lincoln’s Girl for Lincoln Farms before she was sold to the United States where she has taken record of 1:51.8.
“All that family has been good - a little bit hot but good, tough racehorses - and it looks like Tommy will be the best of them.”
A two-year-old out of Tania Tandias which Auckland Danny Blakemore snapped up for $6500 as a weanling has already been sold and, named Harry Kane, is now in training with Steven Reid.
Tommy Lincoln paid the princely sum of $1.10 to win but added $7756 to his bankroll for owners John and Lynne Street, Ian Middleton, Shannon and Brenda Flay, Ian, Kathy and Daniel Parkinson, Debbie Sparks, Ray Menzies and Denis Ebert.
He has now earned A$12,568 from his three starts in Brisbane to go with the $97,515 he won in New Zealand.
More news in Harness
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
