Even some minor money would please Ray on what looks to be a tough night at Auckland

On a strong premier night card at Auckland, trainer Ray Green will be happy if he can pick up even some place money with Lincoln Farms’ four runners.

Friday night’s opening pair Obadiah Dragon and Frisco Bay are both handicapped by bad draws and, while Leo Lincoln and My Copy are both favoured on the gate, they will need to be at their very best to beat some talented opposition.

Obadiah Dragon comes to Auckland with no form in five previous starts on the course but with an eye-catching last start fourth to his credit.

Devoid of luck in the run home at Cambridge, the three-year-old was well into the stretch before driver Andre Poutama could ease him clear wide on the track.

“He got going only in the last few yards at Cambridge and picked them up real quick,” Green said. “He got home better than the winner (stablemate Leo Lincoln).

“He’s a nicer horse than people think. He’s a much stronger individual than he was and looks to be on the cusp of being in the zone.”

From his awkward draw of seven, however, in a near capacity field, Green says Obadiah Dragon will need plenty of luck.

“But as long as he doesn’t have to do too much work, he’ll get home well.”

Frisco Bay has placed only twice at Auckland in seven starts but both of those thirds held merit, the three-year-old powering home from the rear on the home turn. Held up early in the run home last start, he showed nice pick-up when finally able to pierce through the pack.

“But I can’t label him from four on the second row in a nice field. He’ll need to fluke a really good trip to threaten.”

Green said he wasn’t too worried about a lacklustre workout by the horse last Saturday when he dropped out after trailing.

“I drove him myself on Tuesday and he didn’t feel bad. But we have had a bit of a virus round lately, which can dull them a bit. A couple have come back in with high heart rates after doing nothing.”

Leo Lincoln returns to Auckland after an excellent last start win over Irish Whispers at Cambridge. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Leo Lincoln and My Copy are the two lowest rated horses in the third race, hence their one and two draws, and Green says they’ll need all favours.

“It’s a handy bunch of horses so you could say I’m hopeful rather than confident.

“Leo has drawn one a few times and hasn’t shown a lot of gate speed but he should get out well enough to land a handy trip.

“I wouldn’t say he can’t win but I wouldn’t label him. I’m hoping he can run in the first three or four.”

Green says My Copy, a four-time winner at Auckland, is in career best form but will need a perfect trip.

“He needs to stay handy without spending too much petrol. He follows speed well but we’ll be relying on luck.”

Luck wasn’t on My Copy’s side last start at Cambridge when the horse he was following died on its run and he was pushed four wide round the home turn.

“That cost him two or three lengths so it was a better run than it looked.”

Charging to the line, My Copy got withing 1.2 lengths of winner The Mighty Sully in fourth place.