Bob Best with Double Or Nothing when he was racing from Lincoln Farms’ Pukekohe stable.
So long Louie, we’ll miss you, but we know you’ll do a good job in the States
By Barry Lichter • 28 February 2020
Double Or Nothing has been sold and will not race at Albion Park on Saturday night.
But the horse could be seen in Queensland for a few more starts with local trainer Alan Grimsey before flying out to the United States in April.
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Al Barnes completed the deal today, one which brings to a close a fairly profitable innings for his owners John and Lynne Street, Rod and Sue Fleming, Neville McAlister and Auckland veteran Bob Best.
A favourite of Best, ‘Louie’ won only three of his 27 races but along with 10 seconds, five thirds and six fourths earned A$49,458 in stakes.
The rangy Sweet Lou gelding, who clocked a mile rate of 1:53.4 for 1660 metres when pipped a neck earlier this month, is expected to do well in the States with his high gate speed and front-running style.
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Ray: Sammy Lincoln has ‘turned the corner’ and can go on with it on Friday night
Wide draws to overcome but Spirit Of God and Jessie Lincoln should both be competitive
Lincoln Farms turns Spiritual Bliss into a big winner - and now she’s off to the States
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Spirit Of God
5.44pm
“She’s definitely a chance as she has enough speed. The raw ability is there and I’m sure she’s as good as any of them ability wise. You can forget she went round at Auckland last week as she locked wheels 600 out.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“There’s not a lot between her and Spirit Of God. The other filly is probably a bit fitter than Jessie but she worked well today and I think she’ll be very competitive. It depends on what sort of run she gets (from eight).”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.39pm
“I can’t label her as a betting proposition from the draw, and in a tougher field, but you can never discount her as you know she’ll put herself in the race. You saw what she did last week - it doesn’t matter where she draws, she’ll launch.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Marylynes Boy
5.56pm
“Last week’s run was a non-event but he went well on debut. He’d have to be a shot, drawn the inside.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.57pm
“It’s a shame he hasn’t had more economical trips - he’s had some tough runs - and keeps going good races. He should go well again.”
Race 4: Lincoln Wave
6.57pm
“He burned himself out early in the derby. There was no race for him last week but he’s training well and should be right in it. His best races have been on the front end.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.56pm
“She’s got the draw and will lead out but she’s no match for Sammy Lincoln and looks better placed at Cambridge.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.56pm
“I think he’s turned the corner and can go on with the job. He will have gained a lot in confidence from last week’s win. We haven’t really tried him out of the gate but he’s a good horse who is improving all the time.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.56pm
“He pulled too hard when caught back on the markers last week. He’s got the same inside second row draw so we’ve taken the blinds off or he’d over-race again. When he draws a (good) gate we’ll put them back on again. Obviously he’s best on the front end.”
