Andrew Drake, who becomes joint trainer at Lincoln Farms next week, is a good organiser, says Ray Green.
Double foreshadows new training partnership with Andrew joining absent Ray at the helm
By Barry Lichter • 21 January 2022
When Andrew Drake joined Lincoln Farms in 2016 he was filling in a spot as the stable’s junior driver.
On Monday he will join Ray Green in a training partnership at one of the country’s strongest stables.
Drake was there at Cambridge on Thursday night, overseeing the team, which came away with two winners, Bet On The Tiger and Louie The Punter, but his role of the last month will now be officially recognised.
Harness Racing New Zealand’s rules don’t allow trainers to be away from their stables for lengthy periods and Green is stranded in Australia, unable to get an MIQ spot to return.
Green sees HRNZ’s decision to enforce the rule as petty given the circumstances, but is happy for Drake to become a training partner.
“It’s a bit of a kick in the guts really as I’m stuck here through no fault of my own. But I have no problem with Andrew running things in my absence. He’s a very good organiser and is very thorough.
“We’ll keep talking about the horses every day, as we do now, so nothing will change really.”
Drake has driven 23 winners and has just graduated to being an open driver. He won the title of leading junior driver at Alexandra Park for the 2020-21 season with a record of five wins, two seconds and five thirds for a UDR rating of .1414.
He clinched the title behind speedy trotter Superfast Ninja, whom he also trains, and with four wins has been the best perfomed of his nine training successes, the others Susie Reignmaker (two wins), Bettor Trenz and Bubble Gum (two wins).
Green had no confirmed return flight when he left New Zealand in December to campaign the now injured Copy That in Victoria, and has no idea when he will be able to come home. He is one of thousands of Kiwis overseas stranded by Covid travel restrictions.
Louie The Punter goes all the way to beat Rocknroll Roulette at Cambridge. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.
Maurice McKendry brings the well backed Louie The Punter back to scale. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.Green missed out on a spot in MIQ at the latest release of rooms for March and April and was frustrated to learn that this week’s allocation had been cancelled because of the imminent arrival of Omicron in the community.
He has applied for an exemption on medical grounds but knows his chances are slim.
While Green is itching to get home, he says Louie The Punter’s future lies in Australia.
“There’s no future for him in New Zealand. He has to step up in class now and it will be much harder.
“You’re almost scared to win one here because of the way the handicapping system works. I’ve been saying for 10 years that we’re on a slippery slope and the reality is it could now be too late to ressurect it.
“Whatever he can win in New Zealand he’ll quadruple in Australia where he can slot into a comfort zone he can handle.
“Brisbane would be the ideal place for him as he likes to lead and they have shorter races. He could also handle Redcliffe if he had to go there.
“He’s a handy horse but the only place he can pay his way and make a bit of money is in Aussie.”
Louie The Punters’ record for Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street and Glenn and Ann Cotterill now reads three wins and four placings from 19 starts for $27,749 in stakes.
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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.”
