Onyx Shard and Andre Poutama fly up the passing lane to nab Bev The Goat. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.
Ian brings in his mates on Onyx Shard - just don’t tell my friends I’ve got a wobbly!
By Barry Lichter • 14 April 2023
The secret’s out.
But Awapuni CEO Paul Humphries had such a blast watching Onyx Shard’s win at Cambridge tonight he doesn’t care any more.
When Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton invited his mate Humphries to take a share in the showy black pacer, the committed gallops owner said: “Just don’t tell my friends I’ve got a wobbly.”
It’s Humphries’ first foray into the dark side, and along with his best buddy Ian Harris they now share ownership of the Sweet Lou two-year-old.
With races on at his home course today, Humphries had to settle for watching the Cambridge race from the birdcage bar at Awapuni.
“He had a big crowd watching with him and they all backed her,” Middleton said.
Ian Middleton greets his pride and joy Onyx Shard, held by Deb bie Green who bought the filly for him.It was a similar story at Cambridge where Middleton was sitting with thoroughbred trainers Stephen Marsh, Robert Wellwood and staff from New Zealand Bloodstock, who all collected on the punt.
The win was especially enjoyable for Middleton too being his first with his own horse.
“Debbie Green bought her for me, along with a Fear The Dragon colt, named Obadiah Dragon, and the three of us race them both. I wouldn’t trust myself to buy one.
“I’ve had lots of fun with winners in Lincoln Farms partnerships, like American Dealer and Northview Hustler but this is the first one I’ve owned outright.”
Middleton paid tribute to Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street for getting him enthused with horses on his return from Canada.
Onyx Shard returns to scale after winning at her third start.And he’s now spread the love with two of his best mates.
“I’ve got a winning photo for you and I expect you to hang it front and centre with your galloping winners,” Middleton told an excited Humphries who called during the presentation ceremony.
“What more could you want? The filly was even driven by a boy from Palmy.”
In a perfect display, former Palmerston North reinsman Andre Poutama got the filly out fast from the pole, took a trail on leader Bev The Goat, and extended up the passing lane to score by a neck.
Trainer Ray Green said Onyx Shard, a two-year-old racing older horses, had a nice future, with her laid back temperament.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
