Onyx Shard and Andre Poutama fly up the passing lane to nab Bev The Goat. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ian brings in his mates on Onyx Shard - just don’t tell my friends I’ve got a wobbly!
By Barry Lichter • 14 April 2023
The secret’s out.
But Awapuni CEO Paul Humphries had such a blast watching Onyx Shard’s win at Cambridge tonight he doesn’t care any more.
When Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton invited his mate Humphries to take a share in the showy black pacer, the committed gallops owner said: “Just don’t tell my friends I’ve got a wobbly.”
It’s Humphries’ first foray into the dark side, and along with his best buddy Ian Harris they now share ownership of the Sweet Lou two-year-old.
With races on at his home course today, Humphries had to settle for watching the Cambridge race from the birdcage bar at Awapuni.
“He had a big crowd watching with him and they all backed her,” Middleton said.
Ian Middleton greets his pride and joy Onyx Shard, held by Deb bie Green who bought the filly for him.It was a similar story at Cambridge where Middleton was sitting with thoroughbred trainers Stephen Marsh, Robert Wellwood and staff from New Zealand Bloodstock, who all collected on the punt.
The win was especially enjoyable for Middleton too being his first with his own horse.
“Debbie Green bought her for me, along with a Fear The Dragon colt, named Obadiah Dragon, and the three of us race them both. I wouldn’t trust myself to buy one.
“I’ve had lots of fun with winners in Lincoln Farms partnerships, like American Dealer and Northview Hustler but this is the first one I’ve owned outright.”
Middleton paid tribute to Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street for getting him enthused with horses on his return from Canada.
Onyx Shard returns to scale after winning at her third start.And he’s now spread the love with two of his best mates.
“I’ve got a winning photo for you and I expect you to hang it front and centre with your galloping winners,” Middleton told an excited Humphries who called during the presentation ceremony.
“What more could you want? The filly was even driven by a boy from Palmy.”
In a perfect display, former Palmerston North reinsman Andre Poutama got the filly out fast from the pole, took a trail on leader Bev The Goat, and extended up the passing lane to score by a neck.
Trainer Ray Green said Onyx Shard, a two-year-old racing older horses, had a nice future, with her laid back temperament.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
