Our brave Tommy leaves them standing and gives owners a sniff of an Interdominion tilt
By Barry Lichter • 21 January 2023
Tommy Lincoln’s owners might have had to wait 10 months to see his all-the-way win at Albion Park tonight but trainer Mark Dux believes they have plenty more fun in store with the six-year-old.
And he hinted that if the six-year-old is still hale and hearty come the end of the year they might just get to experience the thrill of racing a horse in an Interdominion series.
“The Interdoms are in our back yard in December and if he’s still here and fit and well, we can throw in a nomination and see what happens.
“It’s not like we’d be putting him in just to make up numbers as we know he can run the time.
“Realistically he can’t beat a horse like Copy That but anything can happen in a race and, if he draws an alley, we know he can follow speed no matter how fast they run.
“He’s just below the very best because he needs everything to go his way but he’s more than competitive with the right trip.”
Tommy Lincoln is also very tough, a trait demanded of Interdominion runners who usually compete four times in two weeks.
Mathew Neilson looks across but has the favourite Manila Playboy well covered.“Even though he doesn’t win a lot, he comes out and runs fast times every week. He was only sixth and fourth in his last two races but they were a couple of his better runs considering the quality of horses he’s been racing and the runs he’s been getting.
“For a change he got a good draw tonight and he won it with no dramas, ran good time, and Mathew didn’t even pull the plugs.”
Dropping his opposition with a 27.3 third quarter, driver Mathew Neilson shot clear rounding the bend to record a mile rate of 1:52.8 for the 1660 metres.
“Mathew knew he had the danger (Manila Playboy) out the back and it had to run real fast sectionals to catch him.
“It was funny tonight, he said as soon as he led, the horse relaxed and dropped the bit. He didn’t know if that was good or bad but, as soon as he got down the back, he knew he had plenty of horse.”
Though Manila Playboy made up many lengths from last at the 400, Tommy Lincoln’s 55.8 dash home was too much for the favourite who couldn’t get any closer than 4.6 metres at the line.
Tommy’s winning purse of A$8832 took his Australian earnings to A$94,390 which, added to his New Zealand bankroll of $85,558 took him to within a couple of thousand dollars of $200,000 in career earnings.
“It takes a nice horse to win 15 races and get to that level.”
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.”
