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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: How our trainers rate them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Thursday night at Cambridge

Race 3: Rivergirl Bella
7.22pm

“She’s knocking on the door and should get one soon. She moves out a little on the gate but has good early speed.”

Race 5: Leo Lincoln
8.20pm

“He made the most of a perfect pegs run last week but it will be harder for him this time, drawn the outside. But it’s only a small field and he’s racing well so he should go well again.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 4: Lincoln Downs
6.50pm

“She should get out OK as she has a bit of speed but she hasn’t carried it very far in the past. I think she’s got stronger now but she hasn’t raced for nearly nine months so she’ll more than likely need the run.”

Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.50pm

“I don’t know what happened last time. She shouldn’t break like that again and, all going well, she’s the one to beat. You have to go on her previous run which was very good.”

Race 5: Rivergirl Maggie
7.21pm

“She put in a few steps on debut and Andre couldn’t let her go up the straight so we’ve tweaked her gear up a bit. She’ll go better this time.”

Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.49pm

“He’s racing honestly and driving well but it’s hard to see him sprinting past this lot.”

Dan Costello Race Photography