Tommy terrific but he’ll need all the luck just to run a hole at Albion Park on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 9 September 2022
Tommy Lincoln has only six rivals at Albion Park on Saturday night but such is the strength of the field he’ll be doing well just to run top four.
That, despite Tommy having resumed last week with a fine, albeit distant, second to track record-holder Blacksadance.
This week he faces not only Blacksadance, but also former New Zealand Cup winner Cruz Bromac, who is drawn to lead, former Lincoln Farms’ iron horse Northview Hustler and Will The Wizard.
Trainer Mark Dux is under no illusions about the task ahead of Tommy from the middle of the front row.
“But I think he’ll race well - I’m hoping he can run top three, or top four at worst. His run the other night was terrific and it will have done him good.”
In his first start for two months, Tommy enjoyed a one-one sit but still finished 19 metres astern of Blacksadance who clocked a sizzling 1:50.7 mile rate for the 1660 metres.
Tommy clocked closing quarters of 27.42 and 28.35, Dux saying driver Angus Garrard was forced to move three wide at the 400, earlier than he wanted because the one in front of him was going nowhere.
“They’ll run a similar time this week and that means you can’t do that much work in the run and still have a finish.
“It will all come down to how the race is run. If Cruz Bromac holds the lead, and Blacksadance is outside him, we could get the one-one.
“But if Cruz hands up, we’ll have to go four fence. I don’t want Tommy to be sitting parked if they go 1:50 something like last week. But even if we do end up four fence, he could still earn a good cheque.”
Dux said he didn’t believe there was a lot between the seven runners.
“The whole field can run 54 halves. You used to be able to sit in and dash late but you can’t any more because they’re running so fast. They’re running near track record times.
“But Tommy will always be competitive. It’s not often he doesn’t run a good race.”
Blacksadance’s track record mile rate of 1:50 flat was set back in April, when Northview Hustler ran second and Tommy Lincoln fourth from the pole.
Tommy Lincoln races at 11.50pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Lover
6.49pm
“You can’t fault what he’s done in his last four starts - he hasn’t missed a cheque. He’s raced at Auckland before as a two-year-old against good horses so it shouldn’t be too daunting for him. He’ll go an honest race, it’s just whether he’s good enough.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
7.57pm
Nathan Delany: “He had to trial on Tuesday after hitting the gate and breaking at Cambridge and I was happy with how he went. He ran Dear God to half a length in 2:38, and got home in 27.3. I’ll tell Harry to have one run at them and he should beat them for speed. Hopefully they run along a bit and he’ll sprint straight past them.”
Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.57pm
“She lacks a bit of speed but she’s a rough chance.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.24pm
“It’s her first start for five months and she hasn’t trialled but she’s training well. She has plenty of ability and there’s nothing wonderful in the race. In the past she’s been her own worst enemy, a lunatic at times, but she seems more settled this time in. You could say I’m hopeful more than confident.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.24pm
“She has a bit of speed. She hasn’t been strong but seems to have developed a bit more this time in and is training quite well. I don’t think there’s much between her and Lincoln Linda.”
