Brisbane downer: Super trial then hamstring injury takes Tommy out of play
By Barry Lichter • 7 July 2023
Impressive trialist Tommy Lincoln will be scratched from Albion Park on Saturday night after hurting himself in the paddock yesterday.
Trainer Mark Dux had been looking forward to seeing Tommy Lincoln resume after his electric 1:51.8 trial win on the course last week, when he downed Bondi Lockdown by 15 metres, untouched.
But the horse was feeling so well, bucking and playing, Dux suspects he slipped in his paddock and did the splits.
“He’s strained or torn his hamstring muscle so we can’t run him. He’s walking OK but he’s quite tender and doesn’t like you touching it.”
The injury to the muscle, which runs down from the tail and provides much of the driving force, needs time to settle and heal, says Dux. “It could be week or two, but it’s impossible to tell. It’s just a shame he’s done it now rather than a month ago.”
Mark Dux … Tommy Lincoln had come back better than ever.Tommy Lincoln, who hasn’t raced for just on three months, had come back better than ever, Dux said.
“I was really happy with his trial. He got home in 26.7 and did it so easily, Mathew (Neislon) never moved on him.”
The only consolation is that Tommy’s barrier on Saturday night would probably have taken him out of play anyway.
Emergency for the A$53,000 Mr Feelgood feature, where he drew the outside of the gate, he also had a bad second row alley in his alternative race, similarly stacked with in-form pacers.
“He would have raced well but it would all have been down to luck.”
Unlucky run
The injury to Tommy Lincoln continues an unlucky run for Lincoln Farms’ Queensland team with Argyle still recovering from damage to his heel.
The horse missed work when an abscess blew out in May and, after he resumed in early June and disappoined in running seventh, it was discovered a good proportion of his foot was rotten inside.
“We had to peel a lot of it away and it’s taken time to grow back. This is the first week he’s been walking sound.”
On a more positive note, Captain Nemo is nearing racing trim again after taking a long time to get over being gelded.
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Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Omaha Lincoln
4.49pm
“He’s never been to Cambridge, and it’s his first time off the place, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go well - he’s certainly got enough speed to do the business. It’s guesswork trying to assess him against the others but I think he’ll do everything right so he’s a chance.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
6.51pm
“She is a bit one-dimensional - she’ll take charge of proceedings when the gate leaves. She could get parked but if she got a cheque I’d be happy.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.22pm
“He was taking ground off the winner last week and I don’t think the step up to 2700 will make much difference, he’s race fit now. He’ll do what he can do, he’s no champion, but he’s got the draw, he steps well and he won’t be far away.”
Race 7: Lincoln Wave
7.52pm
“The draw is awkward over the sprint distance at Cambridge but he’s absolutely capable of being right in the fray if he happened to get a good trip - he’s an improver every time he goes to the races. Not many of the others have run 1:54.”
Race 7: Sammy Lincoln
7.52pm
“I thought he did well to finish third last week after being parked out. The draw makes it very hard but he’s got real speed and if he dropped into it late, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got home really well.”
Race 10: Spiritual Bliss
9.24pm
“They’ll know they’ve been to the races if she gets any kind of trip. She was parked the whole way last time in 1:52 and wasn’t far off them. I don’t really want to see her parked again but you’d think Tytate would duck for cover knowing we’d say in front. She’s tough and reliable - she hasn’t gone a bad race since we’ve had her - and you know she’ll put herself in the race.”
Race 10: Ultimate Cullect
9.24pm
“The outside is not a good draw for her but, if they go hard, it will suit her.”
