Frankie Major whistles past Upsize Me to score at Cambridge. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.
Lincoln Farms’ Cambridge double all down to perfect displays by Magic Man McKendry
By Barry Lichter • 13 May 2022
Two perfect drives by Maurice McKendry landed Lincoln Farms a double at Cambridge on Thursday - but trainer Ray Green isn’t getting carried away by the results.
McKendry was at his brilliant best when he cuddled up Frankie Major three back on the markers, extricated him at the end of the back straight, then angled out to sprint past the favourite Upsize Me.
And a few races later he gave Argyle the perfect run in the one-one before snatching the honours from Mr Incredible, his half length margin flattering the runner-up.
The double proved only a curtain-raiser for the ‘Magic Man’, however, as he then pulled out an inch perfect front-running drive to get Hot And Treacherous home by a nose over A G’s White Socks in the feature Flying Mile.
“Maurice drove both ours beautifully, especially Frankie Major. We’ve always known that he had a good sprint like that. He’s done that at the trials plenty of times but that’s the first time he’s shown it on raceday.
“But the drop in class definitely helped him and I still think he needs a short break, maybe three to four weeks.
“He’s only two and it would be a bit cruel to start him up the next grade.”
Argyle gets the measure of Mr Incredible close to home. PHOTO: Chanelle Lawson.McKendry said while Argyle looked reluctant to run past Mr Incredible, he was inclined to switch off in the run home before easily reeling in the leader.
“He’s still very green and the drop in class helped him too. We’ll give him another try at Auckland and see how he fronts up but we’re not getting carried away with him.
“He won’t get away with sectionals like 60.1 and 30.4 at Auckland.”
Green was disappointed not to see how Next Go Me and Colonel Lincoln fared in the fourth race. The event was abandoned when debutant Rubble died after choking down and falling 1300 metres from home.
“It was very unfortunate for the connections of the horse, nobody likes to see that happen.
“Andrew (Drake) was adamant he was going to get the money with Next Go Me but then Maurice said the same about Colonel Lincoln.”
Both horses were travelling well, Next To Me outside the leader Private Eye, and Colonel Lincoln three back on the markers.
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Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
