
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.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.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Jessie Lincoln
5.25pm
“This is her first run back and first at the Park but I’m expecting her to be very competitive. She ran a nice trial and she seems pretty good. I think she’ll be in the money. She’s a much stronger individual after her break - the big ones tend to take a little longer to make. I like her. She’ll be winning races for sure.”
Race 4: Johnny Lincoln
6.16pm
“We’re testing the water with him but he’s a proper racehorse and, drawn one, he won’t be far off them. I can’t see him beating those others but he’s a little tradesman who is a worthy candidate for the race.”
Race 4: Lincoln Wave
6.19pm
“You just have to forget about his last start because of the puncture and assess him on the previous two runs. We’re not expecting a huge effort from him - he’s on his way back up after a five-week break and there’s a fair bit of improvement in him. But I think he’s a very nice horse and I’m not afraid to front up to the good ones with him. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he got into it, even from five. We still don’t really know what we’ve got with him. But whatever he does on Friday night will tidy him up for the next one.”

