Green looking forward to the return of talented brothers Wave and Omaha on Friday night

Senior trainer Ray Green is excited at the return of promising brothers Lincoln Wave and Omaha Lincoln who spearhead a nine-strong team for Lincoln Farms at Auckland on Friday night.

Neither horse has an easy assignment, against better performed rivals, but the way they’re trialling, Green is expecting bold runs nevertheless.

Three-year-old Lincoln Wave, who has a R54 rating, is badly off in the ratings in the Lincoln Farms Pace, meeting American Me (R88) and Jeremiah (R80) off level marks over a mobile mile, but Green is delighted with how he has come back this preparation.

When he last raced on June 26, Green says Lincoln Wave had trained off but, remarkably, he was still best of the rest behind American Me and Jeremiah after leading the 2200 metre event.

“He’s always been a big, powerful horse but he’s come back looking really well. He’s nice and fresh and trialled very well.”

In a three-horse 2050 metre heat on August 25, against stablemates Sugar Ray Lincoln and Prince Lincoln, Lincoln Wave began brilliantly to lead, holding on well to win by a head after sprinting his last 800 in 57.4 and 400 in 27.7.

“He has a bit more potential than Sugar Ray and he’s going well enough to get some of it.”

The winner of five of his 14 starts, Lincoln Wave is well placed from three on the gate to lead again and has opened a generous third favourite at $16 and $2.25 behind Jeremiah ($1.60) and American Me ($2.40).

His Downbytheseaside - Sea Of Gold younger brother Omaha Lincoln opened the fifth favourite at $10 and $2.40 in the first Sires’ Stakes heat for two-year-olds, which Green acknowledges is loaded with talent.

“It’s a tidy bunch, being a Sires’ Stakes heat, but ability-wise I think he’s right up with them.”

Among his rivals are Coal Fire ($1.95), Lucky Luka ($4.60), Dino ($7) and We Will Rise Again ($8) but Omaha showed he wasn’t out of place when beating Lucky Luka and Coal Fire in his latest trial, his fourth in August.

After trailing that pair to the 500, driver Maurice McKendry eased out into the running line, took the lead turning or home and held on to beat Lucky Luka by a head, with Coal Fire making good ground when clear to be only three-quarters of a length away in third.

“He was strong at the finish. He’s been trialling really well against the good ones and been very competitive.

“I expect him to front up on Friday and be in the fray. He’s got the inside draw and a bit of gate speed.”

Green said Omaha Lincoln, who ran seventh on debut in May, had taken a while to develop mentally but was slowly getting there.

“He’s inexperienced but none of them have got vast experience so I don’t see why he won’t go a good race.”

Sammy Lincoln has his foot on the till. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Monster run

Green also expects Sammy Lincoln ($6, $1.85) will be in the money again in the third race after his monster run for second last time at Cambridge.

Driven aggressively early, Sammy Lincoln eventually found the lead and looked to be home when he kicked two lengths clear turning in but the early burn took its toll late and he was pipped a neck by Merle Mary.

Sammy was clocked at 2:39.12 for the 2200 metres, a slick mile rate of 1:56.3.

“He’s a classy horse ability-wise and I don’t think I’ve seen him look better,” Green said.

“He’ll get his chance from the (four) draw and he’ll go another good race.”

Dominating the betting is the Nathan Purdon-trained Georgie Best ($1.65), a comfortable workout winner at Pukekohe on August 25.

The returning Jessie Lincoln ($6, $2.20) is another Geen hopes will be right in the hunt in the fifth race.

Jessie Lincoln hasn’t raced since June 26, when fifth behind War Party at Auckland, but warmed up with a quiet workout, noticed making good ground late for fifth.

“She’s in good shape to go a good race. I don’t think she needs to be screwed right down to be competitive. The way she’s going, she’ll be in the fray.

“She’s a big filly who has taken a while to find herself but she’s starting to mature now.”

Spreader

Copy Ten Four ($15, $3.90), who contests the same race, has a 964 form line, reflecting his gradual improvement, says Green.

“He’s not doing anything spectacular but he’s getting better.

“We’ve put a spreader on him for Friday. I think he might have got on his knee a bit last time at Auckland because he was losing ground on the corners and picking it up again in the straights.

“He’s a beautiful, big horse, still a bit of a spooky bugger, but he can go a bit.

“He might take a few more runs to get his head around it all but he won’t die a maiden.”

Long odds

The remaining four of Lincoln Farms’ runners are at long odds, Rivergirl Bella ($12, $2.80) the most favoured in the third race.

“She might need a run as she hasn’t raced since June but she’s training well and she could be a bit stronger this time in.

“She’s got a bit of gate speed so might be able to cross the two inside her.”

Colonel Lincoln ($21, $3.60) and Leo Lincoln ($26, $4) look to be up against it in the last race with Mama’s Wish ($2.25), Nazare ($2.70) and War Chief ($4.60) engaged.

“Colonel Lincoln was beaten by the draw (of eight) last time but he’s drawn well for a change and if he gets a good trip, he could get some of the money.

“He’s no superstar but he’s a good honest horse.

“Leo Lincoln’s form has tailed off and he needs a better draw.”

In to six with early scratchings, Leo Lincoln is still on the outside of the gate.

Green says Sugar Ray Lincoln ($26, $2.80) should get a good trip from the ace in the 10th race but in his first race since June 26 might find the opposition too fit.

“I think he’ll go a good race though - he trialled up well.”