Draw against Tommy but he’s still a top four chance at Albion Park on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 2 February 2023
Despite a tricky barrier draw, Tommy Lincoln should still finish in the top four at Albion Park on Saturday night, says trainer Mark Dux.
A last-start winner from a leading draw of three, Tommy moves out this week to five, after an early scratching, which could be enough to see him deprived of his favourite role.
“They’re not the best ones inside us but they have enough speed to be a pest,” says Dux.
“He’s got to go forward, though, as it’s too hard getting into the race if you go back. Mathew (Neilson) will roll across and play it by ear.
“Who knows, he might have enough speed to get across. He’ll probably get a little more respect now too because of the way he’s racing.
“But if they think we’ll cross and hand to Blacksadance they might not let us go.”
Dux says it’s a given that Blacksadance, drawn the outside of the second row as the equal highest rated on 120, will make a run round the field at some stage.
“If we’re outside the leader then it wouldn’t be a good spot, with him in front and running his last mile in 1:53.”
Dux says Tommy has trained on well since his last race a couple of weeks ago when he rated 1:52.8 for the 1660 metres.
The horse extends to 2138 metres on Saturday night, a distance he has scored over in only two of his seven wins in Queensland.
“But I’m really happy with him and, even if he gets only an average run, he’s a top four chance.”
Tommy Lincoln races at 10.44pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Friday night’s main event: In the blue corner, Tyson, in the red corner, Sugar Ray
After 40 years in the sulky, Fergie’s just loving his renaissance in the lincoln green silks
Big-spending Mike Tanev snares The Rascal and he’s off to Canada next week
Dreams Of Eric goes from black and blue to blue and white, now for Harness 5000
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
