Lenny, Leo and La Moose surprise Ray and make it a big night for Lincoln Farms

It was a night to remember for Lincoln Farms but the winning treble at Cambridge left trainer Ray Green more than a little surprised.

With runners in four races, the lincoln green silks came up trumps with wins by Lenny Lincoln, Leo Lincoln and Lincoln La Moose, only Commander Lincoln coming up a head short on making it four out of four in the opening race for amateurs.

But it wasn’t a result Green had expected when he crawled his way through the Waikato road works earlier in the afternoon.

“People asked me who I liked best and I told them they all had a chance but I wouldn’t be holding my breath and none of my money would be going on them.

“You’ve got to have nights like this every now and then. It keeps everyone enthused, the staff working harder and the owners happy.”

It’s the third time in the last couple of seasons Green has achieved the feat for Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street and their partners, the last time on Grins night at Cambridge last April.

Lenny Lincoln has Sheza Mermaid covered at the finish. PHOTO: Angelique Bridson.Lenny Lincoln showed the benefit of two runs back this prep, a drop in grade from Auckland and the ace draw when he led all the way for Zachary Butcher in the fourth race, stalling the brave parked runner Sheza Mermaid by three-quarters of a length.

“He ran a sedate 2:45.3 but he did only what he had to,” Green said. “He had them all off the bridle on the turn and won as he liked.”

Leo Lincoln super impressive in 2:40 flat after sitting parked for the last lap. PHOTO: Angelique Bridson.Leo Lincoln, on the other hand, had to do plenty of work in his win, driver Andre Poutama whipping round the field to sit parked 900 metres from home.

“I thought Andre was driving Leo a bit tough but he said afterwards that he wouldn’t get up on the bit when he was in behind. But as soon as he showed him some daylight he was straight onto the bridle.”

The courage the Art Major three-year-old showed to stave off the late run of Pandora by one and a quarter lengths, clocking a very slick 2:40 flat, left Green mulling Sires’ Stakes options in the future.

“He did it tough tonight and we’ll certainly look at better races for him now. We’ll see what happens on Friday night in the Derby (at Auckand) and see how many figure in the finish. Leo might slot into the void.

“I’ve always liked him. I tossed up which one of the two Art Majors to take a share in, him or Lincoln La Moose. Leo was a lot more forward and stronger at the time so I went for him but they’ve both turned out all right.”

Lincoln La Moose could not have been more impressive in his last race win, running away from T Bone Walker to score by three and three-quarter lengths in 2:42.6.

“I thought he was a chance but I didn’t think a horse having his first start could win like that.”

Lincoln La Moose, for so long too delicate to push, looked to be in big trouble when he galloped round the first turn, going back to share the rear before Poutama was forced to let him run at the 1600 because “he was over-racing like a loose cannon.”

Despite having to sit parked, Lincoln La Moose cleared out in the run home and left them to it, running right to the line.

Lincoln Cove gallops and runs wide on the home turn.His much better backed stablemate, Lincoln Cove, who enjoyed the one-one for most of the way, was again disappointing, punters who plunged on him on debut burned for a second time at $1.60.

Green was right to be “guarded” about the horse’s chances in his pre-race comments, concerned about his weekend gallop at the trials.

While it looked like Lincoln Cove was going to be right in the fight when he improved turning in, the horse flew into a gallop in almost the same spot as last week, despite wearing a single spreader.

“He was apparently hitting his knee all the way. Zac said he was nursing him round the corner and he galloped for no reason.”