Classy Line Up too good again as Lincoln Farms’ babies shrug off viruses
By Barry Lichter • 24 February 2019
Smart two-year-old Line Up showed he’s the one to beat again on Friday night when he came from last to win his trial at Pukekohe yesterday.
Allowed to drop to the rear early by driver Zachary Butcher, Line Up improved into the one-one 600 metres out and swept round the leaders three wide turning for home.
In a packed finish the judge gave him a nose decision over pacemaker Bad To The Bone, with a head to Mighty Looee and a neck to Bow River.
Timed over the mile in 2:01.9, Line Up clocked 58.3 for his last 800 metres and a sharp 27.3 for the last 400.
The close finish was of no concern to trainer Ray Green who said the colt had enjoyed a pretty easy time lately.
A snotty nose didn’t stop classy Line Up from winning first-up.When Line Up smashed his rivals on debut at Alexandra Park two weeks ago he had quite a snotty nose.
“We haven’t done a lot with him this last week so he was entitled to get a bit tired the last bit.’’
Green said quite a few of his babies had been slowed by a virus in recent weeks, including Perfect Stride whom he scratched from that February 8 race when he seemed off colour earlier in the week.
Perfect Stride was given an easy time by driver Andre Poutama in Line Up’s heat yesterday, tootling along in second last spot and running home quietly for fifth albeit close up, just in behind the pack.
“Andre said he could have pulled out and progressed but not having done much lately he didn’t need to be doing that.’’
Both colts will be entered for Friday night’s colts and geldings’ race at Auckland but Green will let Sir Tiger bypass the race.
“He’s also had a bit of the virus and we’ll leave him at home and trial next week.’’
Hilary solid again
Hilary Barry will start in the Young Guns heat for fillies on Friday after another solid trial yesterday.
Fourth of five early she pulled off the fence 500 metres out, secured a brief one-one trail, before Butcher switched back to the fence to trail leader Miss Shuga into the stretch.
Green was pleased with her finish to run a one length second to Eighteen Carat with half a length to Miss Shuga on closing sectionals of 58.1 and 27.3.
“They went 2:01.9 and she ran on strongly. She got away on us a bit, got a bit fat, but she’s improving.
“I don’t think she’s any superstar but she’s honest enough and will win races.
“She’s not in the class of that Adore Me filly (Sweet On Me) but then none of the others are either.’’
Hilary Barry finished 14 lengths behind All Stars’ Sweet On Me on February 15, but had no chance after ending up four deep on the fence and being last turning for home.
Joey Lincoln did everything right in his first workout and first look at the mobile gate. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Green was pleased with the first workout by Sweet Lou two-year-old Joey Lincoln who ran a close third in the 2050 metre learners’ heat, run in a more pedestrian 2:52.3, a mile rate of 2:15.2.
Joey Lincoln, who was ready to trial a few weeks ago but got sick with a virus, trailed last of the four runners early before landing the one-one 600 metres out. Butcher angled out three wide to make his run turning for home and closed well to be just a neck and a nose behind winner Saul Good and runner-up Delightful Catherine, the leaders home in 62.3 and 29.4.
“He did everything right,’’ says Green. “It was his first time behind the gate and I was happy with his effort.
‘He’ll go round every week until we think he’s good enough to qualify. He’s not spectacular but he goes well enough. He’s a tidy little horse and we’ll see how he progresses in the next few weeks.’’
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No way to sugar coat it - it’s tricky to predict what Sugar Ray will do on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
