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
Emotional night at the Park as Sammy Lincoln steps up for John and his sister Maree
Rivergirl Bella finally delivers - and Phil kicks himself for not being there or having a punt
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
