
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.
More news in Harness
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
OK Sammy, lightning bolts aside, Ray’s relying on you to do things right this time
Lincoln Dealer has the genes but not the barrier draw for Cambridge debut
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”
Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”
Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm
“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm
“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm
“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm
“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”
Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm
“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”

