Hopes for a good Friday night at the Park as blinds go on Wave, Sammy and Prince

Lincoln Farms’ co-trainer Ray Green is looking forward to Friday night at Auckland when the addition of blinds on three runners is expected to bring rewards.

The gear tweak on in-form pacers Lincoln Wave (race 6), and Sammy Lincoln and Prince Lincoln (race 8) give Green and his training partner Nathan Delany multiple winning chances along with Sugar Ray Lincoln (race 6), debutant Major Copy (race 2) and talented filly Angelic Copy (race 1).

Green reached for blinds for Lincoln Wave ($5.50, $2.10) after 3000-club reinsman Maurice McKendry reported the three-year-old swished past his rivals easily last week in the home straight but switched off as soon as he hit the front.

“He was starting to get into the habit of doing that so we trained him in blinds this week and he went pretty well.”

Green isn’t worried about Lincoln Wave having his first standing start on Friday night.

“He muffed it first time at the trials but we put the (hopple) shorteners in the second time and he was good. Maurice was actually quite bullish about his standing start manners and thinks that, in time, he’ll end up being a quick beginner.

“If he steps well, and can land in the first one or two, he’ll definitely be hard to get round. He’s a nice horse who’s done a great job.”

Harrison Orange … recommended blinkers for Sammy Lincoln.High-flying junior driver Harrison Orange recommended Sammy Lincoln ($6, $2.10) be tried in blinkers after his huge fourth last week, when he looped the field to park at the bell and went under by less than two lengths.

“Harry said he lost concentration a couple of times, including at the top of the straight, and thought he’d be a bit more on to it with blinds on.

“I still thought his was the run of the race last time - none of the others could have done what he did - and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him score.

“His raw ability is very good but he’s just been a bit slow coming to it.”

One of Sammy Lincoln’s biggest rivals will be Prince Lincoln ($6.50, $2.20) whose odds have moved in a point since the market opened.

Prince Lincoln really responded to blinds three starts back when he led all the way in a 1:53.6 mile rate demolition at the Park.

But Green removed the gear last week to prevent a repetition of his May 15 run when he was snookered form the inside of his second row draw and pulled his block off.

Despite not wearing blinds, Prince Lincoln was excellent on the clock coming from the rear on the inner turning in, having to angle wide, and not being in the clear until the last 150 metres, his closing splits of 57.8 and 28.4 equal fastest with winner Secret Beach.

Drawn four on the front row this week, Green has refitted the blinds.

“If he steps and leads like he did three starts ago that would make him the one to beat. He showed with that win that he’s above average and will be a serious chance on Friday night.”

Sugar Ray Lincoln, centre, pips Blazing Louie, wide, and Lincoln Wave, inner. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.10-metre handicap

Sugar Ray Lincoln ($9, $2.80) is at good odds given he returned to the winner’s circle last week, and beat Lincoln Wave, but that reflects the fact he must start from a 10 metre handicap.

“He’s not spectacular from a stand but he will get away, albeit sometimes a bit slowly.

“He’s been racing really well despite being hung out a few times and last week he got the perfect run for him - a strong pace and a smother.

“Lincoln Wave has more speed than him but if it comes down to a slugfest he’d be too strong as he’s rock hard fit.”

Major Copy ($4.50, $1.65) has drawn eight for his debut but Green thinks he’ll still be competitive.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him. You never really know ’til you get to the races but he’s trialled well enough to start and I wouldn’t be surprised if he went a good race, despite the draw.

“He’s a nice sensible colt who’s done nothing wrong and he could develop into a really nice three-year-old.”

Green said there was nothing between Major Copy and his talented stablemate Omaha Lincoln in their early education when he was quite a lanky colt and still growing.

“He’s come back well and his latest two trial wins have been good.”

Major Copy came from the back of a three-horse heat to win at Pukekohe on May 12 in a 2:01.4 mile rate and led all the way a week later.

“He would have been dangerous from a good draw but with the right run he could still beat them.”

Angelic Copy with co-owner Debbie Green.Generous odds

Angelic Copy ($7.50, $1.90) is at generous odds to beat hot favourite Chanel Noire ($1.70) in the opening race given her fresh-up last placing hid a terrific performance on April 17.

The little three-year-old went back from a wide draw and came from last in the running to record the fastest last 800 in 56.3 and 400 in 27.7 behind winner Words.

Since then Angelic Copy finished only a length behind the speedy Princess Savoy in a 2050 metre workout at Pukekohe.

“She’s done everything right and trialled really nicely. I think she’s forward enough to give some cheek.

“She’s only small. You like to think when you get a good two-year-old like her that they’ll get stronger and transition into a nice three-year-old but she hasn’t grown an inch. But she tries hard and enjoys being out there.”

The Bettor’s Wish filly, the highest rated in the race, won her first three starts for Green’s wife Debbie and John and Lynne Street before being troubled by tying-up issues.

Green said you could argue Rivergirl Bella ($51, $8) is a Cambridge horse “but sometimes when you throw them in with the bear cats they lift their game and I thought she was really good here last week.

“Tony (Cameron) said she’d have finished a bit closer too if he hadn’t had to take hold of her close to home (when he ran out of room and hit a marker pole).”

Rivergirl Bella runs into Sammy Lincoln and Prince Lincoln this week from a niggly five gate, hence her outsized odds.

“I’m looking forward to Friday night,” Green said. “The team has the the ability to win a few races. They’ve all trained well, are healthy and looking good.”