Long wait over to see why Lincoln Wave and Sammy Lincoln are fancied by Lincoln Farms

Two of the most talented pacers at Lincoln Farms will finally debut at Auckland on Friday night and co-trainer Ray Green is loathed to pick between Lincoln Wave and Sammy Lincoln.

“Lincoln Wave ($4.20) was clearly our best two-year-old early on but he developed a bit of sesamoiditis and Sammy Lincoln ($3), who is also very fast, had a hairline fracture of his tibia,” Green said.

“We’ve waited a long time on these two horses, so it would be nice to get a result, but I wouldn’t like to separate them.

“There are a few unknowns in the field but it wouldn’t surprise me if they ran first and second. It will take a nice horse to beat them both.”

Co-trainer Nathan Delany on the reins behind Lincoln Wave. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Lincoln Wave, a big, muscular colt by Downbytheseaside, is out of a sister to former champ Gold Ace, and it didn’t take him long to show his ability, winning his first workout all of 12 months ago.

And the four months he had out in the paddock, while the inflammation in his ankle healed, has only helped him strengthen, Green said.

The colt has won both his trials this time in, on January 6 and January 13, sprinting home in 58.9 to win the latest, untested, for race night driver Maurice McKendry.

“I’d say he’d be the more reliable of the two. Sammy Lincoln has a bit more speed - he’s very fast for a big, rangy horse - but he might be vulnerable on Friday.”

Green said the Always B Miki half-brother to Alta Intrigue, was not the perfect parcel yet.

“From what we’ve seen, he could experience difficulty on the corners going right-handed.”

Sammy Lincoln, who won a workout and trial last June and July, has also been in good form at Pukekohe in recent weeks, beating Iron Mike Tyson on January 6 and working home stylishly from a long way back a week later when second to race rival Evernden on a very fast 56.1 last 800.

“They’re both pretty nice horses who won’t be maidens for long.”

Spritual Bliss turns her head as Harrison Orange runs out of room inside the winner Louezyana at Cambridge.Bullish about Bliss

Green is bullish about the chances of Spiritual Bliss ($2.50) in the last race, where she meets a small field of only five rivals and, crucially, has drawn a barrier that won’t see her locked away like last time.

From the inside of the second row at Cambridge on January 9, the rejuvenated mare was trapped three back, and pulling and, just when it looked like she might fly up the passing lane and win, she ran out of room.

“She was incredibly unlucky. The gap opened up for Harrison, he tried to push through, then it closed on him.”

Orange, who didn’t activate the deafeners, has the drive again and, from five on the gate, is expected to head straight to the top.

“If she led, she’d be the one to beat. She’s a nice mare and she’s pretty tough, she doesn’t give it up.”

Stablemate Tyson ($8) had a week off after a torrid last trip at Auckland, but Green doesn’t think he’ll be short of a run.

“He’ll come back into the fray as tough as ever. He likes being in work, he gets fat too fast in the paddock.”

Green is tipping another good race from Johnny Lincoln ($4.60) in the fifth event, despite his drawing out in seven.

The Lather Up gelding was only just caught by Clouding Over at Cambridge last time and is third favourite behind the better drawn Telfer stablemates Amazing Captain and Princess Lisa.

“He’s trained on really well since Cambridge and I’m picking he’ll go really well.”