Ears exposed but don’t let Tyson bite you on debut at Cambridge on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 3 July 2024
Trainer Ray Green isn’t expecting Tyson to deliver a knockout blow when he debuts at Cambridge on Friday night.
But at the same time he warns not to take any notice of the colt’s poor trial at Alexandra Park early last month when he tailed the field home by nearly 10 lengths.
Green, who races the two-year-old with breeder Pat Laboyrie, says he made a mistake trying the colt in a Hidez compression hood at Auckland.
The headgear which covers the ears and is lined with 3mm neoprene to reduce sound, as well as applying compression to acupressure and endorphin release points, is designed to calm nervy horses.
“It did that all right, he went to sleep in it,” Green said.
Tyson showed much more fight when trialled a second time at Pukekohe 12 days ago, leading his only rival Miki Doo over 2050 metres and clearing out to score by seven and a quarter lengths.
That franked the improvement Tyson had shown in three earlier workouts, giving Green hope he would make the grade.
“He was basically broken in and gaited and turned out for a long time but he’s coming along nicely now.
“He’s a good pacer and I think he’ll end up quite a nice horse.”
A good-looking Art Major colt, Tyson is out of 13-race winner Helena Jet and is a brother to the speedy Nicholas Cage who won six races here, taking a scalp over Akuta and Copy That in the Founders Cup, before being sold to Australia, where he has won another three races at Menangle.
“The raw ability is there. He just needs nurturing a bit,” Green said.
“There are lots of firsts he has to overcome on Friday night - first time under lights, first time in a full field, first trip away from home - but I think he’ll handle it well as he seems sensible.”
Green said Tyson would need luck from three on the second row in a field of relatively inexperienced older rivals.
Lincoln Farms’ only other runner Commander Lincoln should get all favours from two on the gate in the sixth race.
Fourth in an amateur race on the course last start, Commander Lincoln found himself snookered back on the pegs but was doing his best work late when clear.
“It was another honest run - there were plenty in there who didn’t go as well - and he’ll get one eventually but you couldn’t predict when that will be.
“He tries hard but just lacks a bit of ability.”
More news in Harness
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
