Maurice McKendry brings back Sugar Ray Lincoln after his tough debut second.
Sugar Ray can deliver knockout blow from the ace in opening Young Guns heat at Auckland
By Barry Lichter • 20 March 2024
Trainer Ray Green is bullish about the chances of Sugar Ray Lincoln ($6, $2.30) at Auckland on Friday night after the rising talent drew perfectly and most of his main rivals fared very poorly.
“There’s every chance we can get the money,” says Green of Sugar Ray’s pole position for the first Young Guns heat.
“If we hold up in front it will be difficult for the others - anything drawn out the back will be up against it.”
Those with the job ahead of them include last week’s winner and fixed odds favourite Confederate who starts from three on the second row, Tony Herlihy’s Roy Kent, who is two the second row, smart beautifully-bred triallist Infamee, the outside of the second row, and Great White and I Got Chills, who are stranded in the widest two spots on the front row.
“Confederate won’t get a two hole trip this time from the second row and Roy Kent will be at the mercy of how fast Demon Blue comes out.”
Green says while Maurice McKendry didn’t have to call on Sugar Ray’s gate speed last week, it’s there if he wants to use it and leading would also bring stablemate Lincoln Lou, on his back, into play.
“You can’t label these two-year-olds just yet. Some will improve, some will hit a brick wall but I’m pretty high on Sugar Ray. Whatever happens on Friday he should develop into a serious horse one day and Maurice is of the same opinion.
“He does feel good and he’s one of those who only does what he has to.
“Maurice is not one to wax lyrical so it’s good he’s enthused over him too.”
McKendry was unusually outspoken about Copy That’s little brother after his debut run at Auckland when he had to abort a mid-race attack on the lead then sit parked for the last lap. McKendry tapped the horse only once up the home straight, the colt showing courage to fight back for a one length second to Confederate who enjoyed a perfect trail and passing lane run.
“He’s a classy horse and he’s trained on well,” Green said.
“The other little fella (Lincoln Lou) went great last week but they were never going to beat him after he looped the field to lead and walked them.
“But he went nearly five seconds slower than Sugar Ray’s heat, which equates to about 20 lengths. He’ll find this field tougher.”
The unlucky runner in Lincoln Lou’s heat was undoubtedly Cyclone Jordy, who was last turning in and snookered all the way home, finishing well held by driver David Butcher, just 2.4 lengths away. The Tate Hopkins-trained Art Major colt out of 21-race winner Cyclone Kate starts from five on Friday night.
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
