Kevin Kline still has plenty of energy, rearing high after coming back to scale last week. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Nate: Write off Kevin Kline again at your peril - he’s not that fast but he just keeps going
By Barry Lichter • 26 November 2025
Punters gave Kevin Kline no chance last week at Auckland, when he upset at $22, but co-trainer Nathan Delany warns against scorning him again on Friday night.
“I know it’s a tough field but so was last week’s field,” Delany said. “If everything goes right, he’s a top three chance.”
Kevin Kline, who has risen through the grades virtually on one preparation, meets even higher rated rivals in the Thames Summer Cup at Alexandra Park.
Instead of Invisible, Confederate and You Little Beuaty, he this time faces a stronger bunch including Captain Sampson, Jolimont, Little Spike and The Surfer.
And, along with that, he reverts to a standing stand, which he has tried only three times previously, for one placing.
“I don’t think the stand will worry him,” Delany said. “He steps away pretty well and he never lets you down.
“I thought he did a great job to win last week given he was a couple of lengths off them at the 700.
“I asked Maurice if he was falling asleep back there and he said ‘matey they were going too quick for me’.
“For him to make up the ground and keep his momentum going was huge. But while he’s not that fast, Kevin just keeps going and he keeps gaining speed.”
Delany’s view is mirrored in the closing sectionals of the 2200 metre mobile which Kevin Kline covered in 55.6 and 27.7, easily the fastest in the race.
His mile rate of 1:53.7 also speaks to his toughness and the belief of Delany and his training partner Ray Green that he will be suited by the faster tempo of open class racing.
Providing he can step cleanly for McKendry from the 10 metre mark on Friday, when he has only two horses in front of him, he should enjoy an on-pace trip and get his chance against the backmarkers.
Delany is tipping a top four finish for Tyson in the opening race.
“He needs to run top four to get into Metro Final. Maurice was very happy with him last week and he’s trained on well.”
Tyson racked up his fourth fifth placing on end last week after securing a cushy trip, first in the one-one then one out and two back.
And he ripped off the third fastest closing 800 and 400, in 56.2 and 27.3 to get within two lengths of winner Arden’s Memory.
“Maurice wanted to try something different last week and found a good run for him but he seems to go better if he can get to the parked position.”
More news in Harness
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
