Tommy Lincoln sat parked all the way to win his fourth race at Albion Park last week.
Mark not fazed by the big guns, Colt Thirty One and all - Tommy just needs a good trip
By Barry Lichter • 13 August 2021
At first glance, Tommy Lincoln looks to have a job on his hands taking on Colt Thirty One and co for the first time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
But trainer Mark Dux believes, given a reasonable trip, Lincoln Farms’ new Queensland flagbearer could run top three in the opening race.
“I’m not worried about taking on Colt Thirty One,” says Dux. “The times Tommy’s running suggest he will handle the step-up.
“But it will all come down to the trip he gets.”
Dux doubts that Tommy Lincoln and new driver Shane Graham will cross to the lead from three on the gate.
“They won’t want to take a trial on Blacksadance (pole). He’s not the sort of horse who likes to get on the fence. He’s galloped before when caught on the inside.”
Maywyn’s Best, from six, also likes to lead and could hum the gate, says Dux.
“There will be a lot of speed and pressure off the gate - it won’t be as slow as last week (when Tommy was able to sit parked and win).”
That’s almost certainly because everyone knows long time state champ Colt Thirty One will be off and around the field to capture the death seat.
That’s why Dux believes Tommy Lincoln could get a good trip if he’s able to retain the early parked position.
“If he does, he’ll race well again. I think he could finish top three with a reasonable run.
“Everything’s been good with the horse this week.”
A taxing trip, when Tommy Lincoln sat parked throughout last Saturday and scored his fourth Albion Park win in a mile rate of 1:53.2, did not appear to have taken any toll on the horse, he said.
Early markets have Tommy Lincoln third favourite at $5 behind Crunch Time ($2.70) and Blacksadance ($3.70) with Colt Thirty One next on $5.50.
Former Lincoln Farms’ hero Northview Hustler, in his second run back from a long break, is the equal $34 outsider, having to start from three on the second row over the sprint trip.
Tommy Lincoln races at 7.43pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
