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Champagne corks all but popping as American Dealer gets a taste of Krug

On a night when Lincoln Farms’ runners excelled at Alexandra Park, a race which it didn’t win, the Sires’ Stakes heat, left connections most excited about what’s to come.

A spectacular win by Copy That and a long odds upset by Tommy Lincoln headlined the night but it was the efforts of American Dealer and Captain Nemo which promised so much.

With races worth more than half a million dollars coming up, trainer Ray Green was thrilled to see little prizefighter American Dealer run the country’s best three-year-old to a head.

“For a fleeting second I thought we were going to nail Krug, but he was just a little too good,” said Green.

American Dealer, who burned from the pole to hold the lead, before succumbing to Krug 700 metres from home, rallied strongly up the lane for David Butcher, his challenge coming up just short in a blistering 1700 metres run at a mile rate of 1:54.4.

Green is now eyeing up two two-year-old features that were postponed last season before tackling the three-year-old Sires Stakes races.

The agenda is:

  • The $140,000 Two-year-old Sires’ Stakes Final at Auckland on September 18 and the
  • The $200,000 NZB Harness Million on September 25.
  • A $20,000 Sires’ Stakes heat at Cambridge on October 15 and
  • The $156,000 Sires’ Stakes Final at Addington on November 10.

Green says American Dealer’s run proved a real buzz for his new American owners Gordon Banks and Marc Hanover, hiding away from the coronavirus pandemic in Miami.

“The good thing about him is he has such a great constitution and can cop the racing. Some can’t cope and after a while start waining.

“But he’s out there now galloping round his paddock and bouncing around.”

Green’s confidence in Captain Nemo was only strengthened when he fought strongly in the run home for third, albeit three lengths from the top pair.

Also being aimed at the same features, Green says the Captaintreacherous colt is still on the up.

“I suspect come derby time we’ll see him at his best. The extra distance will be right up his alley.

“I’ve always liked him. He’s a lovely, big horse who’s probably used a lot of energy growing and filling out. He’s never been as strong as he could have been but he’s toughening up now.”

Tommy Lincoln dashes late to grab Major Jellis at Alexandra Park. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Tommy Lincoln dashes late to grab Major Jellis at Alexandra Park. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Tommy Lincoln’s $20 win didn’t come as any great surprise to Green.

Forced to be driven quietly from the inside of the second row, Tommy Lincoln travelled well three back on the pegs before unleashing strongly in the run home.

“He won well. I liked the way he was travelling into the corner, thought he’d be right in it, and the gap came at the right time.”

Tommy Lincoln reeled in Major Jellis and Magilligan Point to score by three-quarters of a length in a very fast 2:38.4 for the 2200 metres.

“He’s a nice solid horse who’ll end up in open class but I doubt he’ll be super competitive when he gets there.

“Last night proved that, at the higher level, he can’t be driven like a toe rag all the time.”

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm

“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”

Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm

“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”

Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm

“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”

Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm

“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”

Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm

“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”

Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm

“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”

Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm

“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”

Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm

“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”

Whales Harness