Bug takes Lincoln Farms babies out and Cambridge has snotty noses and coughs too
By Barry Lichter • 1 February 2022
The annual round of bugs has hit northern stables with Lincoln Farms forced to withdraw Frankie Major, Lincoln River and Beaudiene Rocknroll from racing at Auckland on Thursday night.
And further south in Cambridge, snotty noses and coughs are also appearing, Nicky Chilcott taking out talented trotter Sacred Mountain from her engagement at Alexandra Park after she was scoped and was full of mucous.
Co-trainer Andrew Drake says he noticed all was not well with the two-year-olds before they were due to work this morning and he called a vet to check them out.
“Nearly all the horses on the farm have crusty noses now. Superfast Ninja isn’t that bad yet but I might end up having to scratch her too.
“It happens every year with the heat and the dust. Hopefully it will last only a short time and the two-year-olds will be good to go next week.” A $20,000 Young Guns heat is carded on Magic Millions night, Saturday February 12.
Drake says at least the two-year-old’s symptoms appeared before the races, rather than having them perform below their best, which is what happened to some of the team at Cambridge last week.
“We found after his race that Bet On The Tiger had a virus.”
Just 79 horses are carded to run at Auckland on Thursday night.
More news in Harness
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
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
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.”
