Tommy Lincoln, second from the outer, charges off the arm at Albion Park, with Northview Hustler inside him.
Foot will be flat to the floor on Tommy to lead free-for-allers at Albion Park on Saturday
By Barry Lichter • 29 April 2022
An anti-choke device will be on and the foot will go down when Tommy Lincoln leaves the gate at Albion Park on Saturday night.
And providing Tommy doesn’t have to spend too much petrol early, trainer Mark Dux says he’ll be more than competitive in the opening race.
For the first time in a while, Tommy has drawn the pole, giving him the chance to show his front-running prowess.
“There’s only one way to drive him and Angus (Garrard) will be doing his best to hold the lead.
“Our chances might depend on what they do with Deus Ex from six. If he burns, we’ll have to burn hard to hold him, but that’s what we’ll be doing.
“I’m sure he’ll race well. We know he can run the times the other free-for-allers run and he’s not going badly, circumstances have just been against him.”
An anti-choke device will stop Tommy Lincoln from tucking in his neck and cutting off his air.Dux says to completely ignore Tommy’s run last week when he sat in the one-one but was gone 800 metres from home.
“That’s not him, he doesn’t do that. The one thing about Tommy is he can follow any speed no matter how fast.
“I’m using an anti choke device this week to stop him from tucking in his neck and cutting off his air. He trained nicely with it on the other day.
“I don’t know why but he’s been pulling a bit more since he cut off his air one night at Redcliffe - maybe he’s striking himself when he does that.”
Dux believes rejuvenated eight-year-old Northview Hustler, drawn to follow through Tommy, will be a big threat.
“It will depend on what they do with the stablemate Deus Ex and whether he can cross us.”
With the ranks of the top free-for-allers in the state very strong, Dux says no one horse is dominating and it all comes down to the draws.
Tommy Lincoln races at 7.14pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday.
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Les Harding
Monday at Globe Derby
Race 6: Beaudiene Rocknroll
6.34pm NZ time
This race will tell us how he measures up against the local horses. We decided to go for this lower graded race, despite having lower prize money, instead of going to the trials one more time. He won the second of two trials on April 21, beating race rival Hezrockinroyalty by four metres. Run over 2230 metres he clocked 57.7 for his last half and 1:59.7 for his last mile. From the pole he’ll start short and be hard to beat.
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 7: Lincoln Lou
8.25pm
“He’s a beautiful little horse who doesn’t do anything wrong. He got held up at a crucial time last week and got home well (for sixth). He gets out pretty well so should get a good trip from two. He’ll go his usual honest race. He’s improving all the time, he’s a gutsy little guy, but whether he can measure up to the favourites remains to be seen.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.25pm
“He’s a work in progress and we’re still dabbling with his gear. He’s actually a naturally good-gaited horse, like all the American Ideals, but he’s going through a stage of not really knowing why he’s out there. You just don’t know when he’ll click but three is an ideal draw for him and he should be handy if he does things right.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
9.20pm
“He’s an under-rated horse, as good as those others who are higher rated. He’s proving to be a tidy horse and, while he’s not viewed as a serious player by some, I think he is. He was closing off really well last week behind Hugotastic.”
