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.
More news in Harness
The dream’s alive but Nate tells why he’ll wait for ‘Harry’ before racing Eric again
Ray gives reformed Rascal his ‘most likely to succeed’ report from the pole on Friday night
Ray doesn’t pull any punches about Sugar Ray but punters weigh in nonetheless
Partners and pedigree made Johnny Lincoln’s win special - but where was everyone?
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
