The cutaway piece of the blue flip flop outlines the abscess which burst out of Line Up’s heel this week.
Line Up on back foot after abscess threatens to keep him out of Thursday’s Sires’ Stakes heat
By Barry Lichter • 29 September 2019
Crack colt Line Up is recovering from a foot abscess and in danger of missing Thursday’s first Sires’ Stakes heat at Cambridge.
And while Green is frustrated at the setback with the speedy three-year-old, he at least now knows why Line Up wasn’t at his best when narrowly beaten at Auckland nine days ago.
“He was fine when he worked on Wednesday but was lame when he got back to the stable and we found an abscess had blown out of his heel.
“It could have been brewing for a month and would certainly explain way he galloped out of the gate the other night and put in those funny steps.
“We were all scratching our heads a bit afterwards but this answers all the questions.”
Green has cut away a corner section of Line Up’s foot and fitted him with flip flops to take the weight off the area and has noted significant improvement in the horse in the last two days.
“Yesterday he could hardly put his foot on the ground but today there’s vast improvement and he’s feeling a lot better in himself.
“I was able to jog him and he wasn’t too bad, but still off.
How long it will take to resolve I don’t know but I’ll just play it by ear. I’d want to be able to work him on Tuesday if he’s to run at Cambridge.”
Green says if he’d been asked yesterday whether Line Up could be fit to start on Thursday he’d have said definitely not.
“But now I’d say he has a chance if he continues to improve at this rate.”
Green says it’s not the end of the world if Line Up misses this week as he will have another chance in the Sires’ Stakes heat at Auckland on October 25.
That would be Line Up’s last opportunity to qualify for the $170,000 November 12 Final at Addington, though, as only five heats are now run and the last of the three southern heats is programmed for the same night as Auckland.
“It would be a shame for him to miss out as he’s such a talented colt.”
Green won the Sires’ Stakes Final with Sir Lincoln 10 years ago when the race was worth more, at $184,000.
Green will have the favourite on Thursday regardless of whether Line Up makes it with rapidly improving colt Copy That in top form, judging by his brilliant last start success and effortless win at the Pukekohe workouts yesterday.
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.”
