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Lincoln’s Girl unleashes nice sprint in preparation for Cambridge

Lincoln’s Girl looked well primed to resume at Cambridge on Thursday night when she unleashed a nice late sprint at the Pukekohe workouts today.

Driver Zachary Butcher restrained Lincoln’s Girl to the rear of the five-horse field, was still there 200 metres from home, and flashed home wide out with an impressive turn of foot to finish a close-up fourth.

With winner Gooddealehemily credited with a 27.3 last quarter, Lincoln’s Girl must have clocked 27 or better.

Lincoln’s Girl, winner of two of her four starts, has not raced for four and a half months but after five workouts this preparation, she looks ready to rumble.

Stablemate Abraham led out in the same 2050 metre heat, then trailed, but weakened in the run home and, while shaken up by Andre Poutama, ran last.

Beaudiene all the way

Beaudiene Western looked very sharp in his 2050 metre heat. Sent to an early lead, he sprinted five lengths clear 400 metres from home and held on well to beat the fast-finishing Ivana Flybye. His overall time was 2:36.4, with his closing sectionals in 58 and 27.9.

Mathew not all the way

Mathew James contested a 2050 metre qualifying trial and got out well from three on the gate to lead. He was under pressure turning for home when challenged and only battled into third behind Diamondsrbettor. He still paced 2:37.1, five seconds under the qualifying time.

Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 5: Lincoln Lover
6.49pm

“You can’t fault what he’s done in his last four starts - he hasn’t missed a cheque. He’s raced at Auckland before as a two-year-old against good horses so it shouldn’t be too daunting for him. He’ll go an honest race, it’s just whether he’s good enough.”

Race 7: The Night Fox
7.57pm

Nathan Delany: “He had to trial on Tuesday after hitting the gate and breaking at Cambridge and I was happy with how he went. He ran Dear God to half a length in 2:38, and got home in 27.3. I’ll tell Harry to have one run at them and he should beat them for speed. Hopefully they run along a bit and he’ll sprint straight past them.”

Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.57pm

“She lacks a bit of speed but she’s a rough chance.”

Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.24pm

“It’s her first start for five months and she hasn’t trialled but she’s training well. She has plenty of ability and there’s nothing wonderful in the race. In the past she’s been her own worst enemy, a lunatic at times, but she seems more settled this time in. You could say I’m hopeful more than confident.”

Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.24pm

“She has a bit of speed. She hasn’t been strong but seems to have developed a bit more this time in and is training quite well. I don’t think there’s much between her and Lincoln Linda.”

Dan Costello Race Photography