Our tough Tommy’s ready to add to A$50,000 won in last campaign in Brisbane
By Barry Lichter • 20 January 2022
Tommy Lincoln hasn’t raced for three months but Queensland trainer Mark Dux is confident he will still acquit himself well at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Lincoln Farms’ tough five-year-old lines up in the fourth race, a $20,000 free-for-all over his favoured 2138 metres, from a perfect draw of two, which Dux says should see him in the money.
“We’ll cross the one, be in front, then I’ll play it by ear. I’ll see how he’s travelling and how much pressure they put on us.”
Dux says he’d be more confident with Tommy Lincoln had he been race fit like the two favourites, L L Cool J and Governor Jujon who ran the quinella last week in a swift 1:51.2 mile rate for 1660 metres.
“Those other two have race fitness on us but Tommy is a place chance for sure. He’s done enough in preparation for this to race well.”
Dux has trialled Tommy Lincoln twice in recent weeks.
“He had a quiet one the first week when fourth but last time I let him run home.”
Tommy Lincoln was driven hard to lead and fought strongly behind eventual winner Manila Playboy, who came off his back and ran closing sectionals of 54.8 and 26.5 to record a 1:53.1 mile rate and win by 1.6 metres.
While that might sound very fast for a trial, Dux says you can’t go in too underdone against the horses Tommy now faces.
“Tommy’s come through the trial well and this race will be a good pipe opener for him. They’re two nice horses he’s up against but Tommy’s no slouch and he’s not that far behind them.”
Dux points to Tommy’s run in September when he finished second to Will The Wizard in a 1:50.6 mile rate.
Dux reports Tommy has come back big and strong after his first four-month campaign in Quuensland when he raced 16 times and racked up five wins, five placings and A$50,000 in earnings.
“He needed a break. You’d love to race forever but you just can’t at the rate they’re going, it takes its toll going that fast every week.
“He had a couple of weeks off and has been back in work for 10 weeks. I’m really happy with him. I’ve had no dramas and he’s training well, but whatever he does this week he’ll improve on.”
Dux says Tommy will be even better placed next week in another $20,000 race for band two to band four horses, meaning the free-for-allers can’t run.
“Saturday’s race will tighten him up nicely.”
Lincoln Farms’ stablemate Captain Nemo had been coming along well in a new preparation too until he got sick.
“He got some sort of virus - he started running a temperature and his legs swelled up - so I gave him a week off.”
Tommy Lincoln races at 10.10pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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.”
