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
All hail Debbie, the new speed queen of Alex Park, as she tackles a mile from the pole
Ray reaches for the half hopples to keep Whats Up The Hill trotting at Cambridge on Thursday
Debbie Lincoln’s sizzling win has namesake Debbie Green excited about the future
A Moose in his happy place is a fast Moose but programming hurdles lie ahead
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Whats Up The Hill
4.59pm
“Fergie wasn’t exuding praise for him after his last start when he galloped away. But we’ve taken everything off him this time, no half hopples, no fixed deafeners, and that’s the same as when he won at Auckland last prep.”
Race 5: Lincoln La Moose
6.45pm
“The winner had it handed to him last time, when he went only 2:45.9, and that meant he outsprinted our boy with a 56.3 last half. When we won the previous week he went 2:40. He likes to roll along, so it will be tempo dependent. It’s his first go from a stand and only second at 2700 metres so we’ll find out if he likes it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Debbie Lincoln
6.49pm
“We’ve never really tried to leave the gate with her but, from the inside draw, she has the advantage and should lead or trail. You’d have to say on her last run she’s the best chance of our trio.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.49pm
“He’s thriving and looking very well. He was only just beaten last time and, from two, should get every chance.”
Race 3: Kevin Kline
6.49pm
“His closing sectionals were very fast last week and he never goes a bad race. The draw isn’t as desirable, but the small field helps.”
Race 4: Tyson
7.21pm
“He had to do a lot of work last week. You can never count him out because he’s so tough.”
