Good mile effort on Friday will see Lincoln River travel some more miles to Hawera
By Barry Lichter • 24 January 2024
Trainer Ray Green is looking for a good run from Lincoln River on Friday night to cement a trip south to Hawera next week.
Lincoln River lines up in the fifth race at Auckland on mile night, over the same trip and from the same barrier, five, that saw him score his last win at the Park in November.
And after two workout wins in as many weeks, Green is confident of a good showing from the tough little pacer.
Lincoln River led all the way for Nathan Delany in his latest workout at Pukekohe last Saturday and, driven out, clocked a fast 1:58.9 mile rate for the 2050 metres to stave off Nelson’s Boy and stablemate My Copy.
With regular driver Delany suspended for a whip infringement until after the meeting, the reins go to fellow stable junior Monika Ranger on Friday night.
“He’s in good shape and I’m sure he’ll go well,” Green said.
Lincoln River, inner, pips his more favoured stablemate Frankie Major in his last run over a mile at Auckland last November. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.“He’s pulled up well from that latest workout and the mile will suit.”
Green is considering taking Lincoln River, Simply Sam and possibly Commander Lincoln to Hawera next week for the Friday-Sunday grass track meeting.
Lincoln River and Simply Sam would have two $20,000 cups to contest, Friday’s Stratford Cup and Sunday’s Hawera Cup, both over 2100 metres.
“Half the staff are going down so they might as well take some horses with them.”
Green isn’t expecting too much from Simply Sam in the seventh race on Friday night, given he takes on the likes of Merlin, Mach Shard, Sooner The Better and Alta Wiseguy.
“It’s only a small field but I can’t see Merlin beaten and a few of the others look better than him too.
“But he’ll get a good trip from one and should still go a good race, he always does.”
The same applies to Leo Lincoln in the fifth race, his 23212 formline telling all you need to know, Green said.
“He’s gone well in each of his last five starts and while Christopher Dance easily beat him last time, he was clearly better than the rest.”
Leo Lincoln tagged on to the back of Christopher Dance in making his run from last, improved three wide round the home turn and closed bravely in the very wet conditions.
My Copy, who takes on Lincoln River in race six, is the lowest rated runner but has the best draw, the ace hole giving him a chance at some money.
“That draw always helps and he’ll go his usual, honest race.”
My Copy was only 2.2 lengths from winner and stablemate Frankie Major in his last start on New Year’s Eve, rallying gamely from three deep on the markers to finish right alongside the in-form Two Eye See.
More news in Harness
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
