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

Prince Lincoln … rapidly improving colt.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.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.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.

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Thursday night at Cambridge

Race 7: Im Not The Maid
8.15pm

“She couldn’t knick off a perfect trip last time in the amateur race so I won’t be holding my breath here.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.53pm

“It looks like it will be a replica of his last two runs. He needs to drop down a class.”

Race 2: Kevin Kline
5.53pm

“I think he’lll go another good race but you couldn’t make a case for him to beat the two favourites (American Me or Mantra Blue). If he ran third, I’d be rapt. He’s very genuine and his form reflects that.”

Race 3: The Rascal
6.24pm

“We’ve chucked him in the deep end - he’s a maiden against race winners - but he’s improving all the time. Fergy had difficulty steering him last time and said if he could have got him out, he would have won. We’ve made little changes to his gear this time and I think he’s a serious contender.”

Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.26pm

“He feels super in his work. I’m really pleased with him. I know he hasn’t lived up to his early promise but the way he’s training he might now be ready to realise it.”

Race 9: Dreams Of Eric
9.32pm

“He wasn’t handling the right-handed going so well, which was why he switched to racing at Cambridge, but he’s a genuine little guy, a strong colt with a bit of speed. I think he’s a chance, it’s just the draw, but it’s only a small field.”

Dan Costello Race Photography