Just getting to the track this week will be a win for Tommy after scary motorway incident

Tommy Lincoln has taken no ill effects from a scary incident on the way to the races last Saturday when trainer Mark Dux’s truck blew a tyre on the freeway.

And, from the front line over his favoured 1660 metres this Saturday night, Dux is hoping the Lincoln Farms’ warhorse can earn his owners some compensation money.

Dux was halfway to the Albion Park track last week when the tyre blew, leaving the truck hard to control on the busy motorway but, luckily, he managed to steer into an emergency stopping bay.

That, however, was only the start of the drama which, at one point, had police preparing to block off the entire highway so Tommy could be unloaded.

In the five-hour rigmarole that unfolded, when even sourcing the right sized tyre proved difficult, Dux discovered the truck’s braking system had been damaged when pieces of rubber flew off.

As a result, with the brakes locked, it was unable to be towed. Thankfully, before the police cordon was activated, Dux managed to get a valve from a nearby Bunnings store which prevented air leaking from the brakes and the truck was able to be driven off the motorway at the next exit.

“Tommy ended up standing inside the truck for four and a half to five hours and I was surprised how good he was.”

Tommy was loaded onto a trailer, but had to be scratched from the opening race, and it was 10pm before they got home.

“He ate up well that night and I suppose it could have been a lot worse. I’ve been driving horse trucks for 30 years and never had that happen before.”

Tommy Lincoln … will roll forward from five on the gate.Former Lincoln Farms’ hero Northview Hustler ended up winning the race that Tommy missed, taking up the inside second row starting spot he vacated, a fact that didn’t escape Dux’s notice.

“We would have got the run the winner got. I couldn’t watch the replay. I’m sure Tommy would have earned a good cheque the way the race panned out.”

Dux says his driver Angus Garrard will have no option than to roll forward on Saturday night from the awkward five alley.

“Ideally I’d like to drive him cold, because he goes best when you don’t do too much on him, but you can’t go back from five. If you do, you end up last and if the leaders sprint home in 55 you can’t get into the race.”

Dux isn’t sure where Tommy will end up - “we’ll just play it by ear - but the pole horse (Betterthandiamonds) has enough speed to be a pest.

“There’s no doubt Blacksadance is the one to beat, he can run time, but we’re no slouch and I’m pretty happy with Tommy.

“He hasn’t lost any fitness on last week and I think he’ll run a good race.”

Dux said it was a promising sign that Cruz Bromac managed to run second to the Hustler last week, franking the form from his trial the previous week when Tommy beat him in a swift 1:52.1 mile rate.

Dux also has respect for Big Wheels, stepping up in grade after a brace of wins, but handicapped by the outside draw.

But the only wheels he’ll really be watching this week are those on his truck.

“We’ve got new tryes this week!”

Tommy Lincoln races at 7.44pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.