Better set-up at Auckland on Friday night for Sugar Ray to produce that knockout punch

A good draw and a small field should help Sugar Ray Lincoln show his best at Auckland on Friday night.

That’s the view of Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green who has watched the two-year-old battle bravely in recent starts with little luck.

Copy That’s little brother has been forced to make wide runs round big fields in his recent racing, drawing six, seven, seven and seven in four of his last five starts.

“They soon get sick of that,” said Green of the overland trips.

“He just hasn’t been able to put himself in a good spot but with a half decent trip from two on Friday I think he can finish in the top three.”

Despite launching four wide 600 metres from home in a Sires’ Stakes heat last time, Sugar Ray Lincoln recorded the fastest third quarter of 27.2 before battling on for seventh. And that was after being nearly KOed by stablemate Lincoln Lou on the first bend.

When put into the race in his previous start, after drawing three in another Sires’ Stakes heat, Sugar Ray sat parked for the last lap and still hung in there for fourth behind Captain Sampson, Lincoln Lou and Confederate, clocking 55.9 and 27.3 on the way home.

With the suspension of regular driver Maurice McKendry, the job of finding the best trip round on Friday night falls to David Butcher but he has all the options from two on the gate.

And, while he takes on older horses this time, Sugar Ray has only five rivals, including fellow two-year-old Runkle Crunch.

Frisco Bay, who has come back in fine form this preparation, winning two of his four starts, faces a much tougher test in the sixth race.

The three-year-old sat in the trail last start when winning a rating 43 to 50 event but advances this time to a rating 53 to 64 field which is full of in-form, progressive types.

“It will be a good test for him. He’s got to front up to these horses now but given another soft trip I think he can be competitive.”

With Zachary Butcher preferring to drive the Purdon/Phelan runner Always B Elite, and Andre Poutama behind Blazing Louie, the seat will be warmed this week by champion reinsman Tony Herlhy.