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.
More news in Harness
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
