Menu

Tommy Lincoln (Mark Dux) leads in his Queensland debut. He will be handled by Anthony Butt tonight. PHOTO: Dan Costello.

Front-running Tommy Lincoln looks to have tonight’s race at Albion Park on a plate

Tommy Lincoln looks set to jump straight back into the winners’ circle at Albion Park tonight, drawn to lead a mediocre field.

Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green says you can put the line through his last start when, from the second row, he had to work three wide to the death and weakened to seventh.

“Sitting parked just doesn’t suit him,” says Green. “He got pulling too hard. He’ll go much better tonight and should lead easily from two.

“He’s definitely the one to beat.”

From the same spot on the gate in his Queensland debut Tommy Lincoln made a real statement, powering to the front and winning, untested, in a mile rate of 1:53.8 for the 1660 metres, with the highly touted Ranger Bomb 11.5 metres in arrears.

Green says Tommy Lincoln is in good shape now after an issue earlier in the week when he showed signs of lameness.

“We had a bit of a problem with his feet but the farrier sorted that.

“We had pads on his feet but they were pressing hard on his soles so we took them off and he seems fine now.”

Tommy Lincoln, the winner of nine races and more than $100,000, opened a $1.22 favourite for tonight’s fourth event with the former Gavin Smith-trained Kiwi Bettor Call Me, a one race winner, second fancy at $7.50.

Tommy Lincoln races at 9.24pm NZ time at Albion Park tonight.Tommy Lincoln races at 9.24pm NZ time at Albion Park tonight.

Our runners this week

Friday night at Auckland

Sammy Lincoln, Prince Lincoln, Lincoln Wave, Leo Lincoln, Jessie Lincoln (scratched).

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Thursday night at Cambridge

Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm

“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”

Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm

“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”

Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm

“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”

Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm

“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”

Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm

“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”

Dan Costello Race Photography