Mark: Tommy should be right in the thick of things again on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 9 September 2021
Bouyed by Tommy Lincoln’s excellent last start fourth, trainer Mark Dux can see Lincoln Farms’ charge right in the thick of the fight again on Saturday night.
And Dux can see one likely scenario that would put the reliable fighter in a perfect spot in the running of the fourth race.
Two weeks ago, from the widest alley, Tommy Lincoln was forced to ease to last, four back on the outer.
“It was near impossible for him to catch them from there,” Dux said. “If they’d gone quicker it would have been a different ball game.”
Tommy Lincoln’s closing sectionals were excellent last start.With the 2138 metres run only in a 1:55.5 mile rate, Tommy Lincoln did exceptionally well to close to 4.3 metres of the winner Our Uncle Sam, making up 10.7 metres on the leaders over the last 800 metres, three and four wide when mounting his run.
His closing 800 metres of 54.27 was one hundredth of a second slower then the winner and his final 400 metres of 26.75 was faster than Our Uncle Sam, who nosed out Will The Wizard and Mach Da Vinci in a blanket finish.
“I was really happy with his run,” Dux said. “They can all get home so quick but he’s only got to be a little closer in the running to beat them.
“On Saturday night I can see him getting a fairly good trip from five.
“If Will The Wizard holds the lead, like last week, and Crunch Time comes across - and there’s no reason they’d change their racing pattern - he could get the one-one and then he’d be right in the thick of things.”
Tommy Lincoln, who has won five of his nine starts in Queensland, rated 1:54.9 when winning over 2138 metres at his previous start. And three of his wins have been at 1660 metres, the distance on Saturday night, his best a 1:52.7 clocking in July.
Two of his wins have been with Saturday’s pilot Angus Garrard in the cart, the gun junior posting his 300th winner earlier in the week.
Dux reports Tommy Lincoln to be in good heart after a week out of the racing cauldron.
“He had an easy week last week but he trained well on Wednesday.”
Tommy Lincoln races at 9.42pm 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.”
