Menu

Larry Lincoln scores on debut at Cambridge. He returns there on Wednesday night and gets the same handy draw.

Cambridge best: Larry’s a fast customer and just needed that fresh-up run

With a run under his belt, expect the speedy pacer Larry Lincoln to be hard to beat at Cambridge on Wednesday night.

Lincoln Farms’ three-year-old meets a weaker field than the one he faced last week at Auckland when having his first race for nearly eight months.

And he has drawn perfectly in three, meaning new driver David Butcher should have no trouble finding the early lead.

Zachary Butcher, who is committed to his own horse Whisky Neat on Wednesday, never had to buzz up Larry Lincoln at the start at Alexandra Park, crossing untested from wide on the gate to lead, before taking a trail behind stablemate Man Of Action.

The Sweet Lou colt ran out of condition round the home bend after which Butcher didn’t push him.

Trainer Ray Green said Butcher reported he simply ran out of puff.

“You’d expect him to be right there this time. He’s a very capable horse who has quite a bit of speed.

“He doesn’t need to be gassed out of the gate - he probably burned too much petrol last time - and if he can find a nice trip, he’ll be very potent with his speed.

“They won’t go as fast as at Auckland (stablemate American Dealer clocked 2:43.4 for the 2200 metres) and of course he turned his debut at Cambridge into a demolition job.”

Larry Lincoln was sore and was spelled immediately afterwards, Green giving him plenty of time to get over his soft bones and growing pains.

While Apieceoflou (race three) didn’t flatter on debut at Auckland, when he was slow away then broke in the run home, Green is predicting a much better showing this time.

“He just didn’t know what to do when they kicked at Auckland last week but he’s trained on well since then and I think he’ll go well.”

David Butcher takes over the reins from Andrew Drake.

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