Cambridge debutant Johnny Lincoln showing lick but it’s too soon to know if he’s a megastar

Johnny Lincoln has been “showing lick” in his recent trials but co-trainer Ray Green isn’t expecting him to set the world on fire like his grand-dam when he debuts at Cambridge on Thursday night.

The Lather Up two-year-old is from the family of John and Lynne Street’s best ever pacer Sir Lincoln and when his full sister Lincoln’s Megastar stepped out for the first time at Alexandra Park in 2013 she blitzed her opposition by nine and a half lengths.

Lincoln’s Megastar, who was retired with six wins from only 23 starts, sadly left only one foal, Johnny Lincoln’s dam Ima Megastar, before being killed in 2018 when crushed by a fallen tree in a violent storm.

Trainer Ray Green driving Johnny Lincoln - “He feels like he’s got a bit of lick.” PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Green says he’s always liked Johnny Lincoln ($5.50) - “he showed us glimpses of ability right from the get-go.

“Lincoln’s Megastar had really high speed and he feels like he’s got a bit of lick too. Some of his workouts have been a bit tame, but he’s got better each time.”

In winning his third workout, at Pukekohe on May 3, Johnny Lincoln skied way from stablemate and race rival Lincoln Maree to score by four lengths. And he stamped that form in his 2050 metre qualifying trial five days later, his four and a half length win registered in a mile rate of 2:03.3.

While Johnny Lincoln has a lot to aspire to - Sir Lincoln numbered an Auckland Cup among his 21 wins - Green likes what he sees of the horse who was bought as a weanling.

“I couldn’t label him, as I don’t know enough about the others, but I think he’ll be a handy horse going forward. We’ll need to geld him soon - he can be a bit rank - but he does most things right.”

Green’s ranking of the colt is backed up with his presence on the list of partners the Streets have taken in which, along with their business manager Ian Middleton, include many Lincoln Farms stalwarts like Brian Rabbitt’s Athenry Syndicate, Margaret Rabbitt, the Four Legs Syndicate and Duncan Chisholm and his partner Kathy James.

Lincoln Maree .. lacks a yard of speed. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Thursday night’s race rival Lincoln Maree ($31) ironically shares the same pedigree, being out of a sister to Sir Lincoln in Moonlighting.

But the Sweet Lou filly has not shown the same speed as Johnny Lincoln at the workouts and trials and is only making up the numbers.

“She’s a real little trier but she lacks a yard of speed.”

Not lacking in that department is debutant Nymbal, a Lazarus gelding with Bunty and Gareth Hughes who has attracted all the early money, firming from $3.60 into $2.80 behind favourite Fitzroy ($1.70).

Green is hoping gun junior Harrison Orange can weave some magic behind Dreams Of Eric ($7.50, $2.40), who has drawn three on the second row in the second race.

“You can’t fault what he’s done. It looks like he’s knocking on the door but he’ll need luck from the draw.”

Dreams Of Eric was landed with a similarly bad draw last time he started at Cambridge when, from seven, he spent plenty of chips to find the lead before fighting on for third.

Green isn’t holding his breath over Im Not The Maid ($14, $2.70) in the opening race.

“She does her best but it hasn’t been good enough recently.”