Line Up, untested on debut at Auckland, is still under treatment for a virus. PHOTO: Race Images.
Line Up still under the weather so it’s up to Perfect Stride to strike for Emilio
By Barry Lichter • 4 March 2019
Classy Lincoln Farms’ colt Line Up will miss Friday night’s $100,000 Young Guns Final at Auckland.
Trainer Ray Green withdrew the super impressive debut winner today, saying he simply hasn’t recovered as well as he’d hoped from the virus which has set back many in his team.
“We just had to flag it with him,’’ says Green. “He’s better but not quite good enough to run. He’s missed too much work and I don’t want to set him back further by racing him when I know he wouldn’t be at his best.’’
Green administered more drugs to Line Up today to help him shake off the bug which has swept Pukekohe stables in recent weeks.
“We’ll just have to wait until the Sires Stakes with him.’’
The first northern heat of that series is run at Cambridge on April 18.
Owner Emilio Rosati had some consolation when his other runner the speedy Perfect Stride drew beautifully in two for Friday night’s final.
Though he too has been under the weather recently, and missed the February 8 heat won by Line Up, and last week’s heat, Green says he’s had a bit more work than the other horse.
“He’ll be competitive and the draw will help him.’’
Green’s only other starter in the final, Sir Tiger, was again out of luck drawing the outside of the eight-horse field.
One inside him, in seven, is the All Stars’ pre-post favourite Smooth Deal.
Lincoln Farms’ sole rep in the Fillies’ Young Guns Final, Hilary Barry will get her chance from the ace draw, with the red hot fancy Sweet On Me on her back.
More news in Harness
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Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
