Tommy Lincoln (David Butcher) goes all the way to beat stablemate Man Of Action at Alexandra Park tonight.
Lincoln Farms boss pays tribute to loyal owner after Tommy Lincoln’s all-the-way win
By Barry Lichter • 29 July 2020
Lincoln Farms boss John Street delighted in presenting the prize for Tommy Lincoln’s win tonight to one of his most loyal supporters, Ray Menzies.
Street and his wife Lynne sponsored the race, the Lincoln Farms Pace, and appropriately shared in the ownership of Tommy Lincoln.
But Street happily passed over the wine and glasses set to Menzies whom he thanked for his support over many years.
Ray Menzies … has been coming to the trots at Auckland since the 1970s.Menzies, whose partners in the horse include Shannon and Brenda Flay, Ian, Kathy and Daniel Parkinson, Debbie Sparks, Dennis Ebert and Ian Middleton, said Tommy Lincoln was the best of the horses he’s raced in the Lincoln green colours.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have had a few winners here. My dad raced Diogenes (16 wins) in the late 70s and that’s how long I’ve been coming to the trots at Auckland.”
Menzies, who owned a glass business in Browns Bay for 40 years before his retirement, also had a share in the evergreen Peter Burgess-trained pacer Ball Of Lightning who won 10 races.
Tommy Lincoln, now the winner of four of his 14 starts, may not have that pacer’s longevity but trainer Ray Green is expecting him to win plenty more races.
Shannon Flay gets a hug from Christine Rupp after Tommy Lincoln’s win.“He did the job we expected him to tonight. I don’t think he’s a cup winner - he’s in a tier below the top ones - but he’ll be a nice horse for his owners.”
Bred by Lincoln Farms, from its former mare Tania Tandias who also produced good winners Lincoln Road and Lincoln’s Girl, Tommy Lincoln led all the way in the good time of 2:41.6 to beat his trailing stablemate Man Of Action by one and three-quarter lengths.
“He’s a tough bugger,” said Street. “He’d been beating Copy That at the Pukekohe trials and he finally got the good draw he needed tonight.”
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
