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.
More news in Harness
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
Nate having a last spin round on his wee mate Eric - and he’s in with a very good chance
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.”
