Tommy Lincoln (white saddlecloth) powers home for a close fourth last start.
Forget the form line, our brave Tommy’s running sensational sectionals in Brisbane
By Barry Lichter • 1 December 2022
Don’t make the mistake of thinking Tommy Lincoln isn’t racing well in Queensland.
He might have won only one race there in the last 12 months but week-in-and-week-out he’s running times comparable to his free-for-all rivals.
His run for fourth two weeks ago at Albion Park was typical of his last 10 starts, says trainer Mark Dux, who estimates he’s been averaging a mile rate of 1:53.
Three back on the markers, Tommy Lincoln came with a strong burst when clear, clocking 54.29 for his last 800 and 26.19 for his final 400. His splits were faster than winner Bigger Wheels, who rated 1:52.6, and only third-placed Will The Wizard ran fractionally faster over the final 400.
“He’s actually going really well without winning,” says Dux. “His sectionals are sensational. They stack up with any of them.”
With the times so fast, Dux says it all comes down to barrier draws and where you end up in the running.
“I thought they’d go hard down the back last time but after she (Chantal Turpin) went down the back in only 28.1 and home in 26.3 we had no chance of running her down.”
So, how does Tommy’s race stack up on Saturday night?
Drawn four in the six-horse field, Tommy won’t be leading, with fast beginner and former Lincoln Farms’ war horse Northview Hustler drawn immediately inside him.
“If Alistair’s (Barnes) horse wants to hold them he can - he was only just run down the other night (by Mach Da Vinci over 2138m).”
Dux says the outside two horses, Big Wheels and Uncle Shank, will surely go forward.
If pressured, Hustler’s trainer-driver Brendan Barnes will then be faced with the decision on whether to hand up the lead, the danger for him being if he relents to one, the stablemate will likely then take over, putting him three back.
“We might be able to slot across without doing too much work and be handy in the running line.
“I’m really happy with him and I see no reason why he won’t race well again.”
In 17 months since arriving in Queensland, Tommy Lincoln has won six races and banked A$83,884 for Lincoln Farms owners John and Lynne Street and their partners Shannon and Brenda Flay, Ian, Kathy and Daniel Parkinson, Debbie Sparks, Ray Menzies, Denis Ebert and Ian Middleton.
Tommy Lincoln races at 1.12am NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
The dream’s alive but Nate tells why he’ll wait for ‘Harry’ before racing Eric again
Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
