Menu

Ray Green should be in the winner’s circle again at Auckland on Thursday night.

Hard to pick between Lincoln Farms’ trio in the last race at Auckland on Thursday night

Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green looks to have a stranglehold on the last race at Auckland on Thursday night - but don’t ask him to tip you the winner.

With Obadiah Dragon, Leo Lincoln and My Copy all racing well, it would be a game punter to say Green can’t win the seven-horse race, but sorting out the best chance is another story.

“I’m confident they’ll all race well but I can’t label one of them. It’s difficult to predict what will happen in these small fields and quite often whoever’s in front will walk them to the corner.”

Both Obadiah Dragon and My Copy were very unlucky last week at Cambridge, held up for significant portions of the home straight.

Obadiah Dragon’s been a good thing beaten in two of his last four starts and he looks a serious threat from one.

“He would have won last time with a clear run, he was ducking and diving all over the place up the straight.

“He just needs a decent trip and he should get it from the pole this week. I don’t think the others are a lot better than him.”

Obadiah Dragon, a nose and a head behind Spirit Of Waiheke and Cyren Shard in a rating 40 to 47 race last week, steps up slghtly in grade this week.

My Copy powers home down the outside at Cambridge last week after being clear late. Leo Lincoln is a close fourth after being attacked mercilessly in the lead.My Copy powers home down the outside at Cambridge last week after being clear late. Leo Lincoln is a close fourth after being attacked mercilessly in the lead.Green had virtually the same summary with his wife Debbie’s horse My Copy who did not get clear until too late last week and finished best of the rest behind Sharkie’s Girl who clocked a hot 2:39.5.

Though he beat only one home, My Copy was just 2.3 lengths from the winner.

“If he’d got a clear run earlier he’d have been all over them.

“He’s been unlucky lately, is in career best form, and is a winning chance as long as they don’t go too slowly.”

As a six-race winner, My Copy looks to get into the field on good terms.

Leo Lincoln, fourth in the same event at Cambridge, paced a huge race, Green said, considering he was attacked mercilessly by a badly over-racing Claude once he made the lead 1400 metres out.

“I thought he went great to hang on like he did. They only got to him at the 100 and he was less than two lengths from the winner.

“He’s a a good little horse and I’ve got Zac (Butcher) on him this week.”

Commander Lincoln lines up in the opening race for amateurs, his three draw giving him a place chance.

Limited in ability, Commander Lincoln had no chance last week when trapped three wide for the last 1450 metres.

“He’s a chance in a race like this - he’ll go an honest race.”

Punters can have a night off following the frustrating Lincoln Cove, who galloped again when leading on the home turn last week.

“He’s as lame as a cat today. The vet’s coming to look at him but we’ll end up scratching him.”

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Thurday night at Cambridge


Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm

“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm

“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.

Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm

“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”

Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm

“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”

Dan Costello Race Photography