Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night

Missy Lincoln might be small but she’s shown enough to convince co-trainer Ray Green that, even on debut, she’s Lincoln Farms’ best chance at Auckland on Friday night.

The Bettor’s Delight filly has nine rivals in the third heat of the Young Guns Fillies’ series, with the line-up including well bred runners from all the north’s leading stables.

How Missy Lincoln looked as a yearling when she cost $15,000.Carter Dalgety … drives Missy Lincoln.But Missy Lincoln ($5.50 equal second favourite) has both a pedigree herself and the trial form to make Green think she’ll be very competitive.

Though she cost just $15,000 as a yearling, Missy Lincoln’s family is chock full of speedy winners - her sister Need You Now was a multiple Group I winner, Billy Badger won eight races here and another 24 in the States, Stars Tonight won eight times and only unsoundness stopped Hey Bartender from winning more than five.

And on the track, Missy Lincoln has shown her share of talent, powering home for a nose and half head third in her only trial at Pukekohe on February 24.

“She trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate,” Green said. “If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray.”

Driven by co-trainer Nathan Delany, Missy Lincoln came from second last in the running, mounting a sweeping run to all but catch Mhai Jackie Do, Friday night’s $5 favourite who enjoyed a perfect trail throughout.

“It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.

“These early two-year-old races are always hard to predict. I just hope she gets round in one piece and gets some money. I’m sure Carter Dalgety will do a good job. He’s a smart young driver.”

Bliss will measure up

Re-invigorated mare Spiritual Bliss ($6, $1.18) meets a couple of smart rivals in Francent ($1.85) and Princess Gracy ($2.15) in the final race but Green is confident she’ll measure up.

“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well.

“I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”

At her last start, over a mile, Spritual Bliss closed well for fifth in 57.4 and 28.9, sectionals not too much slower then the first three home, Sooner The Bettor, Better Knuckle Up and Rubira.

Southern mare Francent might have a poor looking formline but she has been parked in her last two starts and on her last trip to Auckland she beat Ruby Roe in the Group I Queen Of Hearts and Arafura in the Group III Northern Breeders Stakes.

Green says he isn’t holding his breath on Lincoln Farms’ two remaining runners:

“Lincoln Linda ($26, $4.20) beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.

“Given the right trip, Rivergirl Bella ($51, $5.50) should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”