Nose band should help big Diesel relax a bit better at Avondale on Friday

Trainer Nigel Tiley will use a nose band on Lincoln Springs at Avondale on Friday to help him relax a bit better and win the fourth race.

The cancellation of the last meeting at Avondale meant big Diesel was a little too fresh at Pukekohe last week in his first race for more than a month.

And as a consequence he raced a bit fiercely with his mouth wide open, leaving him with no finish which saw him only battle late.

He still ran a close-up fourth, three-quarters of a length, a long neck and a long head from the winner.

“He had a decent blow after the race,’’ says Tiley. “And that’s the reason we’re backing him up.

“He’s come through the race really well and has definitely improved with the run. It’s cleaned him up nicely.”

Lincoln Springs had a tendency to over-race early in both his previous seconds at Ruakaka and Avondale in January.

“I’ve been working him in a nose band and it doesn’t worry him. I’m hoping he might relax a bit better with it.”

Tiley says he’s really happy with the big son of Foxwedge who gets regular rider Leith Innes back after a recent suspension.

Tiley isn’t worried that the horse has drawn eight in the field of 10.

“He’s a big striding horse and I’d rather he had a bit of room than being cooped up on the fence.”

Friday’s race sees Lincoln Springs come back to 1400 metres.

“There was no mile for him but I’ve kept him fresh and he’ll be hard to beat again.”