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Frisco Bay scores an impressive fresh-up win at Auckland on August 30. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.

In-form Frisco Bay looks a ratings special at Alexandra Park on Friday night

Fresh from a big run in the Northern Metro Final, Frisco Bay ($3.50) looks a ratings special at Auckland on Friday night.

Trainer Ray Green’s three-year-old turned in one of the runs of the race last week in the $35,000 final, which was packed with talented pacers up to R60.

This week he meets only five rivals, only one of them with a rating higher than the 40s - Louezyana (R51) whom he beat by more than eight lengths last Friday.

When driver Andre Poutama pulled Frisco Bay out of the running line 600 metres from home to get in front of the three-wide train, the horse sped forward with plenty of venom.

Three wide disputing the lead round the home turn he fought on bravely, weakening only in the last 100 metres to run a 3.4 length fifth, only a nose from fourth, behind progressive pacers Always B Elite, Hawkeye Pierce, Jeremiah and Horray Henry.

Frisco Bay, who clocked 2:42.1 for the 2200 metres, was credited with the equal fastest third quarter of 28.4, the third fastest last half of 55.5 and 400 in 27.1.

On Friday night, with one scratching already inside him, he will start from three on the gate, with his main danger McKendrick ($2.70) immediately inside him.

The Robert and Jenna Dunn-trained four-year-old ran third last week behind Semba and Obadiah Dragon over 1700 metres, run in a slick mile rate of 1:54.6, and recorded the fastest closing sectionals of 54.8 and 27.4.

Green, not surprisingly, says Frisco Bay looks the one to beat on Friday with Zachary Butcher at the helm but he warns not to under-estimate stablemate Obadiah Dragon ($6.50) and regular driver Poutama.

“He’s going good races and I don’t think there’s a lot between them.”

Lincoln Farms’ other two runners on Friday clash in the opening race with Tyson standing over Lincoln La Moose.

Tyson downs Turn O The Tide two starts back at Auckland. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Tyson downs Turn O The Tide two starts back at Auckland. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Seedy toe

Green was forced to ease up on Tyson ($15) after his excellent last start fourth on August 9 behind Runkle Crunch, Hearts N Aces and Lincoln Lou after being parked throughout.

“He had a bit of a foot issue and we had to stop and cut a bit of his seedy toe away.

“He missed a bit of work but he trialled well last week and I expect him to go well.”

Driven quietly early in his Pukekohe workout, Tyson same from last on the final turn, sweeping round four and five wide and powering home for second behind last-start winner Classic Elegance, the 2050 metres run in a good 2:02.7 mile rate.

Green warns not to write off Lincoln La Moose ($34) for his terrible last start run when he was back on dispatch, broke 1450 metres out, over-raced down the back and broke again 400 from home.

“We couldn’t find anything specific that explained the run. He’s a nice enough horse but he’s still very green.

“I wouldn’t condemn him on that last run and he’s trained on well.”

Lincoln La Moose starts from the pole position on Friday with Poutama at the reins.

The pair have two promising types to contend with on Friday night, however, Purdon Racing’s winning debutant Without You ($2.30) and fresh-up winner Always Be Mattie, backed in from $3 to $2.20 immediately on the opening of the fixed odds.

Our runners this week

Friday night at Auckland

Leo Lincoln, Spiritual Bliss, Missy Lincoln, Lincoln Wave, Johnny Lincoln.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Thursday night at Cambridge

Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm

“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”

Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm

“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”

Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm

“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”

Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm

“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”

Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm

“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”

Whales Harness