Omaha Lincoln long in the odds but he has enough toe to say he won’t be entirely beached

He’s the long odds $18 outsider at Cambridge on Friday night but co-trainer Ray Green says he wouldn’t be surprised if Omaha Lincoln showed up on debut.

The Downbytheseaside little brother to Lincoln Farms’ talented three-year-old Lincoln Wave has only four rivals in the opening race on the big Night of Champions card and has really pleased Green in his recent prep.

“He was all primed and ready to go six weeks ago until he went off the boil a bit but he trained really well the other morning, running past his mate.

“He’s never been to Cambridge, and it’s his first time off the place, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go well - he’s certainly got enough speed to do the business.

Omaha Lincoln … Lincoln Wave’s little brother is training well for his Friday night debut.“It’s guesswork trying to assess him against the others but I think he’ll do everything right so he’s a chance.”

Green acknowledges Omaha Lincoln lacks the raceday experience of his rivals - “but we don’t know if they’re any good.”

And Green is pretty confident he has sorted the issue which saw Omaha Lincoln pace roughly near the finish of his latest trial at Pukekohe after he ran past his two rivals in the run home.

“He was a bit green late but I think we’ve got him out of that now. He has a bit of speed, he’s a nice little horse.”

Green says we’ll have to wait until the last race on the programme, however, for Lincoln Farms’ best chance, Spiritual Bliss.

Only the $10 fifth favourite in the the $40,000 mares’ feature, Green says “they’ll know they’ve been to the races” if his mare gets any kind of trip.

“She was parked the whole way last time in 1:52 and wasn’t far off them. I don’t really want to see her parked again but you’d think Tytate would duck for cover knowing we’d say in front and they’d get a good suck along behind us.

“Not many horses could have done what she did last time. She’s tough and reliable - she hasn’t gone a bad race since we’ve had her - and you know she’ll put herself in the race.”

Reliable stepper

The same applies to Leo Lincoln ($10, $2.35) who, while only sixth favourite in the Country Cup, has drawn to repeat his game second on the course last week behind Beta Prepare.

“He was taking ground off the winner and I don’t think the step up to 2700 will make much difference, he’s race fit now.

“He’ll do what he can do, he’s no champion, but he’s got the draw, he steps well and he won’t be far away.”

Green says while some of the handicapped runners, like Jolimont, are a class or two above Leo, he can still claim a cheque.

Lincoln Wave … will need luck from the seven alley. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Three-year-olds draw badly

The chances of Lincoln Wave ($101, $11) or Sammy Lincoln ($81, $9.50) earning money in the Sires’ Stakes Semi aren’t looking so good after they drew the two outside spots on the gate.

“The draws are awkward over the sprint distance at Cambridge - the drivers are damned if they go forward and damned if they don’t.

“But Lincoln Wave is absolutely capable of being right in the fray if he happened to get a good trip - he’s an improver every time he goes to the races.

“Not many of the others have run 1:54.”

Even though his form line might not show it, Green says Sammy Lincoln is also good enough to compete against the bigger names.

“He’s got real speed and if he dropped into it late, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got home really well. The first thing Harry said when he came back last week was: ‘I think we need to drive him for one run at them’.”

Through no fault of his own, Harrison Orange gave Sammy plenty to do last start, says Green.

“He had to go forward really because David Butcher (on Valerei) was dragging him back. He had a dab for the front, which wasn’t there, and ended up parked out, so I thought he did well to finish third.”

The odds about Lincoln Linda ($34, $6) are also big in the Sires’ Stakes Fillies Semi and, understandably so, given she draws badly in six and meets a Group I winner like Ripples, who has paced 1:49.2 in Australia, and Harness Million runner-up Queen Lizzy.

“But taking a line through Lincoln Maree I don’t think she’ll be outclassed,” Green said. “Maree hung in for a close seventh last week against a similar bunch, including the colts, and Linda is a notch up from her.

“She is a bit one-dimensional - she’ll take charge of proceedings when the gate leaves. She could get parked but if she got a cheque I’d be happy.”

The chances of Another Cullect ($51, $7) in the last race will depend on the tempo, says Green.

“The outside is not a good draw for her but, if they go hard, it will suit her.”