It’s green jackets all the way and Ray fancies improving surprise packet Prince Lincoln

Prince Lincoln … rapidly improving colt.Prince Lincoln proved the surprise packet of Lincoln Farms’ two-year-old contingent on debut and looks set to continue his rapid improvement at Auckland on Friday night.

The Always B Miki colt was entered on February 7 only to make up numbers and ensure the first two-year-old race in the north got off the ground.

But he surprised everyone by rattling home from last for a close third behind stablemate Angelic Copy.

Despite laying in a few times down the home straight for co-trainer driver Nathan Delany and having to be straightened, he still managed the fastest closing sectionals of 58.9 and 27.7.

“I wasn’t expecting him to do anything as he’s a green, young horse. But he went very well so he’s obviously lifted his game for the occasion.

And he’s trained on even better so the experience has enhanced him.”

Out of Cullens Pricess, a half-sister to New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Thefixer, Green expects Prince Lincoln to keep improving and be a realistic chance from the pole position for Zachary Butcher on Friday night.

Lincoln Linda, outer, jumps a shadow and forces Maurice McKendry to take hold and drive defensively.Green is pleased the Auckland Trotting Club took on board the criticism of holding the baby race so early in the night last time by programming it as the second last race this week.

“There won’t be any shadows for Lincoln Linda to jump at that time of the night so she has to be a serious chance too.

“She’d been dominant at the workouts and trials before her debut but didn’t get the chance to show her true worth.”

Lincoln Linda was heading for the early lead when she spotted wide shadows cast by two lighting standards, losing her composure and momentum by jumping them.

That set rival drivers on alert, not wanting to get behind her for fear of being brought down.

“She got hung out after that which didn’t help. If she could have dropped onto someone’s back she’d have been all right.”

Despite the tough trip, Lincoln Linda still made a dab in the run home, finishing only 2.4 lengths behind the winner.

Green finds it hard to separate the other three of his runners, happy in the knowledge that Lincoln Farms, with all five runners, will be picking up the entire $13,162 prizemoney as well as a $12,000 Entain bonus.

“I still can’t understand why there aren’t any other two-year-olds ready when we’re deep into February.

“We’re still feeling our way with them but you’d have to go for Prince Lincoln and Lincoln Linda as our best chances.

Driver Peter Ferguson was impressed by Lincoln Lover’s debut. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Fergie impressed

“Fergie was quite impressed with Lincoln Lover, though, and requested the drive again.

“He finished on strongly up the lane and should go well again. He just needs some luck from the outside of the gate.”

Rivergirl Bella finished last of the six runners on debut, failing to handle the bends as Green had feared, but she had another excuse.

Butcher used up a lot of petrol down the back straight to sit parked, reluctant to follow Lincoln Linda, leaving the needle on empty in the run home.

“She’s definitely a better animal left-handed but she was passable right-handed and should go better this time.”

Green says Lincoln Downs, while a nice filly, is behind the others.

“I had her in last time to make sure the race got off the ground, but didn’t need her, so she’s having her first start on Friday.

“I don’t expect her to beat anything but she needs the experience.”

Check out how Green rates Lincoln Farms’ five other runners in the trainers’ comments column.