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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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Copy Ten Four
6.19pm
“He’s better going left-handed and he only has to get round safely to be right in the fray. He’s no champion but he’s not a bad horse.”
Race 3: Rivergirl Bella
7.09pm
“She should lead easily and be the one to beat. She was desperately unlucky last time and she’s in good shape.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.59pm
“He goes much better the Cambridge way round and, while he’s at the mercy of what they do in front of him, he just needs to see a bit of daylight to be right in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Rivergirl Maggie
6.07pm
“It’s her first time at the Park, so you have to take that into consideration, but she’s a little trier and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her go close. She wasn’t strong enough early to go on with but she’s strengthened up now.”
Race 5: Sammy Lincoln
7.10pm
“He’s as good as anything in the field on ability and he’s in the zone at the moment. All he needs is a trip and he’s better drawn in three this time so should go well.”
