Line Up, obscured on the inner, misses out in a three-way photo finish at Auckland last start. PHOTO: Peter Rubery/Race Images.
Improving Line Up could yet make the start line at Cambridge after good morning work
By Barry Lichter • 1 October 2019
Line Up boosted his chances of contesting Thursday’s Sires’ Stakes heat at Cambridge with a good training run at Pukekohe this morning.
But trainer Ray Green says he won’t make a decision until tomorrow morning on whether to start the talented colt, who is recovering from a foot abscess.
“He’s still feeling it a little but did some good work this morning, ran a mile in 2:05 and half in 27.2.
“He was a little bit off once the adrenalin had worn off but he’s much better than he was yesterday.
“If I was making the decision now I’d seriously considering running him. We’ll see what he’s like tomorrow but he won’t have to improve a lot to run.”
The chances of Line Up contesting the first of only two Sires’ Stakes heats in the north looked nil on Saturday when he could barely put his foot on the ground after an abscess burst out of the wall of his foot last Wednesday.
But Green has been surprised at how quickly the colt has recovered and now is hoping he’ll make it to Cambridge where he has drawn beautifully in two.
Copy That whistles past his rivals, including Sires’ Stakes heat runner Mighty Looee, at Pukekohe last Saturday.His presence would make for an intriguing battle with Green’s other representative Copy That set to start favourite despite his wide alley.
“There’s not a lot between them but Copy That’s obviously had the better preparation. Line Up will have the abscess hanging over him while Copy That has been problem-free.
“Copy That seems more comfortable the Cambridge way round too.”
Before his brilliant last-start win at Auckland, when he overcome three little breaks in the running, Copy That trialled in great style at Cambridge, running a fast 2200 metres in 2:45.4.
“It’s difficult to label one better than the other - it wouldn’t surprise me which one won.”
Green is hoping his other two Cambridge starters, Lindi Lincoln (race two) and The Empress (race seven) can both win for Copy That’s Australian owner Merv Butterworth who will be on course on Thursday.
Lindi Lincoln stretches out nicely for Zachary Butcher in her all-the-way win at the Pukekohe workouts last Saturday.Lindi Lincoln has an outside second row draw to overcome but, on paper, is still the one to beat.
She faces six unknown first-starters and six others with no form and comes into the race fitter for her first-up run at Auckland on September 20 when she powered home for third to Down The Hatch and Royal.
Lindi Lincoln came from four back on the markers that night, improving three wide with cover to run the fastest last quarter, 27.6, and fastest last mile, 2:01.1.
A brother to the useful Rupert Of Lincoln, she looked improved when leading all the way to win a workout at Pukekohe last Saturday.
Best chance
The Empress could be the best chance on the night for Lincoln Farms despite also having the visitors’ draw in seven for her first look at Cambridge.
The rating 52 to 63 race is by far the easiest opposition The Empress has faced since coming north and she is in excellent form.
Last time at Alexandra Park she was second last 600 metres out, pushed four wide 100 metres later on a 27.4 quarter, and was still able to roar home for fourth, only winner Ivana Flybye, on the markers, recording faster sectionals than her closing 800 in 56 and last mile in 1:56.9.
A repeat of that kind of performance would easily see her home against much inferior opposition.
“She’s very reliable and could be a Queen Of Hearts and Breeders’ Stakes contender,” says Green.
More news in Harness
Emotional night at the Park as Sammy Lincoln steps up for John and his sister Maree
Rivergirl Bella finally delivers - and Phil kicks himself for not being there or having a punt
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
