Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods

Co-trainer Ray Green knows Johnny Lincoln ($23, $2.80) is running for minor money only in Friday night’s $200,000 NZB Harness Million, which is dominated by the freakish talent Jumal.

But the way the little surprise packet went last week when third behind Jumal in the Alabar Classic gives him plenty of hope that Johnny will again be competitive.

Three deep and over-racing, Johnny Lincoln paced roughly when held up rounding the home turn but still attacked the line to be only 4.2 lengths from the winner, his closing sectionals of 56.2 and 27.3 only fractionally slower than Jumal’s 56.1 and 27.1.

“For a cheap little horse he’s now one of the best three-year-olds,” said Green of the $10,000 weanling.

The first four favourites in the Harness Million, New Zealand Bloodstock’s feature for sale graduates, cost substantialy more - Jumal $95,000, Allamericanplayer $155,000, Freeze Frame $120,000 and Sonofamistery $95,000.

Johnny Lincoln will be “a monster” over longer distances, says driver Peter Ferguson. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.But Green says his Lather Up gelding doesn’t know what he cost and “he’s turned into a proper racehorse.

“And Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster.”

Green expects there’ll be a bit of urgency in the early rush as rivals aim for a spot behind likely leader and he’s hoping that from gate four Johnny will get a sweet suck along.

Big job ahead

Green expects Lincoln Wave ($126, $9) to outrun his very long odds in the Harness Million but can see he has a big job ahead.

“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time.”

Lincoln Wave … fitter for his resuming run last week. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Having his first race for five weeks, Lincoln Wave showed none of the dash which saw him notch back-to-back wins to start his career in January, finishing 14 lengths from the winner.

“I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all. “Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. It was only really a glorified trial for him. “Drawn one on Friday night, theoretically he’ll be handy, and I can’t see him being worse then three fence. Jumal should go straight to the lead and everyone else will be racing to get on his back. Hopefully we can get a suck along.”

Green is looking for another good run from Missy Lincoln ($10, $2.60) in the $100,000 Delightful Lady Classic, the fillies’ Young Guns final, after her big effort for third on debut when parked for most of the way.

“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others.

“We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”

Green can’t see why another caught in the breeze last time, Spiritual Bliss ($10, $2.15), won’t be right in the fight in the $50,000 Northern Mares’ Classic.

“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time.”

Trapped with no cover for the entire trip in a strong 1700 metres, Spiritual Bliss nevertheless finished only four lengths from all-the-way winner Lady Of The Light.

She is the second equal-highest rated runner in the field on Friday night behind the visiting southerner Ultimate Collect who closed in a very sharp 56.9 when tackling the Park for the first time last week.

Green says he isn’t holding his breath with Leo Lincoln ($61, $6.50) who opens the batting in the first race as the rank outsider.

Leo Lincoln never fired a shot when favourite at Cambridge at his last start, unable to get into the race behind Barbarossa who again unleashed seemingly suicidal sectionals in front.

“We won’t count that last run and he seems to have trained on well,” said Green acknowleding however that Leo Lincoln is badly placed as an R52 horse in a field up to R70, the ranking of hot favourite Doo You Want Me.