Lou out with a bug, so it’s up to Sugar Ray and Tyson to do the heavy hitting at Auckland
By Barry Lichter • 11 July 2024
Lincoln Farms’ stranglehold on Friday night’s two-year-old race at Auckland dissipated a fraction tonight with the scratching of Lincoln Lou.
Trainer Ray Green said the early $2.20 favourite had been scratched on vet’s advice.
“He looked a little seedy this morning and also left a bit of food so we took a blood and it turns out he’s picked up a bit of a virus.”
Green said it was lucky the symptoms surfaced today, avoiding the possibility of causing the horse harm by racing him.
“It’s unfortunate but it’s not like it’s the derby on Friday, it’s just another race. We’ll just have to win it with Sugar Ray Lincoln or Tyson.”
Lincoln Lou’s withdrawal, plus that of Carrera Hombre, leaves only a five-horse field and has dramatically affected the fixed odds market with Sugar Ray Lincoln now the $1.55 favourite, Stonewall Stud’s best runner Debrief second fancy at $3.90 and Tyson next best at $4.40.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Downs
7.08pm
“She hasn’t shown much in two starts back and the wide draw doesn’t help so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Rivergirl Bella
7.39pm
“She should lead easily from one and be hard to beat. If she’d been a slot closer last time she would have won.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.43pm
“Take no notice of that last run which was a non-event for him. Every time he went to go, something came out underneath him. He’s been going better recently and, with reasonable luck in a weaker field, he can be in it.”
