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Commander Lincoln wins a slug-fest for Andrew Sharpe to score his second win at Cambridge. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.

Brace for Ray and Lincoln Farms at Cambridge but Colonel’s placing just as thrilling

On a night when he trained two winners at Cambridge for Lincoln Farms, trainer Ray Green got the most satisfaction from another who came up a couple of metres short.

The adrenalin was running high when first stable battler Commander Lincoln scored his first win for 21 months then Lincoln La Moose sprinted fast from the trail to streak past hot favourite Katies Princess fresh-up.

But when Colonel Lincoln sprung out from the one-one to issue a home stretch challenge in the sixth race, momentarily looking like he’d run down pacemaking Always B Charlie, Green got his biggest buzz.

It was the $200,000 sale-topping colt’s first race for 21 months and a lot of hours had gone into getting him back after two tendon injuries.

“I thought he went very well,” Green said of Colonel Lincoln’s three-quarters of a length second. “He probably flattened out a bit close to home, which was to be expected, but hopefully he’ll go on with it now.

“I’d like him to have won but he should pull up well and we’ll go again with him at Cambridge on Tuesday in the junior drivers’ race, which is penalty free.”

Green said Colonel Lincoln had always been a nice horse. “He’s gone some tough races in his time and he’s a lot stronger now and his tendons are holding up well.

“He has a good attitude and motor and if he had a bit more speed he’d be a really good horse.”

Commander Lincoln credited Andrew Sharpe with his third amateur race win this year.Commander Lincoln credited Andrew Sharpe with his third amateur race win this year.‘He just tries so hard’

That’s not something Green has ever said about Commander Lincoln, the only one of his quartet tonight that he didn’t think could win.

“He has no speed, he just tries so hard. That’s all he’s got going for him.”

Green admits he had mixed feelings when the four-year-old and the stable’s Andrew Sharpe claimed a head win over Medina Magic, fearing his rise in the ratings would see him lose his competitiveness.

“But he was only an R35 tonight so he’ll still be eligible for the amateur races.

“The way the race was run tonight suited him, it became a slug-fest and he was the best slugger.”

With a mile rate of only 2:00.7, the closing sectionals were a pedestrian 62.7 and 30.6.

“He’ll keep running placings. He hardly ever misses a cheque. He’s costing us nothing so in that sense he’s a good horse, paying his way.”

Commander Lincoln, who credited Sharpe with his third amateur win this year, actually scored on debut in March, 2023, but his owners John and Lynne Street, the Excell Syndicate, the Jaming Syndicate, Patt Gubb, Lance Myocevich, Steve Beckett, Kevin Bell, Margaret Rabbitt and the Athenry Syndicate had to wait 21 months and 31 more starts to claim win number two.

But during that time he ran in the first five 19 times, doing enough to keep them interested.

Lincoln La Moose and Zachary Butcher sprint fast to race past Katies Princess. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Lincoln La Moose and Zachary Butcher sprint fast to race past Katies Princess. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Lincoln La Moose didn’t keep his group of owners waiting so long. Also a debut winner at Cambridge in March, 2024, he scored his second win at his 12th start tonight.

But it’s fair to say the Streets, Ian Middleton, the Green Machine Racing Syndicate, Glenn and Ann Cotterill and the Red and Blue Syndicate also had their frustrations watching the Art Major gelding pace roughly and make mistakes.

“He could plait his legs before, but he seems a lot more stable now. He trained very well during the week, the best I’ve ever felt him.

“I’m hoping he’s matured. He was a monster tonight, he had too much speed for them and really flew.

“He seems to go better left-handed and, even though he moves up a grade now, I’m hoping he’ll go on with it.”

Green also gave a good pass mark to the fourth member of the Cambridge troop tonight, Onyx Shard battling bravely for fourth after sitting parked most of the way.

All four will back up on Christmas Eve, along with The Big Lebowski and Debbie Lincoln.

Our runners this week

Saturday night at Albion Park

Argyle.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 1: Lincoln La Moose
5.43pm

“Drawn well, he should get a good trip and be the one to beat. He got held up at Cambridge last time and these amateur races are easier to win.”

Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.43pm

“The form line doesn’t show it but he actually went ok last time, they just sprinted and left him flat-footed. He’ll go his usual honest race.”

Race 2: Angelic Copy
6.16pm

“She and Linda train and trial together and are much more forward than the others. She’s a proper little tradesman who can do whatever you want and she tries hard.”

Race 2: Prince Lincoln
6.16pm

“He’s not as forward as the fillies. He’s still learning and can do nothing but improve.”

Race 2: Lincoln Lover
6.16pm

“He’s another who will benefit from the experience but he’s by Bettor’s Delight and they tend to lift their game when the money’s up.”

Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.16pm

“She has a bit of speed but is not as tractable as Linda - she doesn’t handle the corners quite as well and might be a little better left-handed. But she’s as good as any of them at the moment and, in the small field, should get her chance.”

Race 2: Lincoln Linda
6.16pm

“Though drawn the outside, she should really be the one to beat, based on her trial. She’s quite a strong filly, who is well gaited and should go forward. Maurice (McKendry) has driven her two or three times and he likes her.”

Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.08pm

“He should be dangerous against what is not a wonderful bunch. He trialled well, a nose behind Lewey Maguire (home in 56.4). All three of mine are nice horses and should be right there.”

Race 4: Tyson
7.08pm

“He was laying in on the corners last time at Cambridge and it was just a sprint home. He needs to be driven a bit more aggressively - he’s gone his best races when he’s been put in the race. Remember he sat parked when third to Arna’s good one (Chase Me) in December. He can tough it.”

Race 4: Colonel Lincoln
7.08pm

“He’s training down well, as good as you could expect. He’s done nothing wrong in three starts back. The outside draw is an inconvenience but, when he slots in, he won’t be far off them.”

Race 7: Kevin Kline
8.38pm

“He got held up last time and the winner got away on him. He should get a nice trip from one. He’ll go another honest race and will be in it for a while.”

Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.38pm

“She could be quite a nice filly. The way she’s developing I think she’ll be competitive against the better fillies later in the year. She’s quite versatile and can race tough. She has a lot of potential.”

Race 7: Frisco Bay
8.38pm

“He’d be on a par with Debbie for speed but he can get a bit carried away. Hopefully he can get a nice suck into it. I can’t fault the way they’re training and whichever of the two gets the best trip should win.”

Whales Harness