Omaha Lincoln’s still very green but gear tweak will help him on Friday night

A big drop in class and tighter hopples set Omaha Lincoln up for his first win at Auckland on Thursday night.

Senior trainer Ray Green was delighted with the way the two-year-old got home for second behind Lucky Luka in last week’s strong Sires’ Stakes heat at the Park.

And Green expects Omaha Lincoln ($2.20, $1.14) to improve in Friday’s race for non-winners, especially with a tweak to his gear.

“He put in a couple of steps last week, reaching for his hopples. But we’ve pulled his gear up a bit tighter and hopefully that will fix that.

Omaha Lincoln will enjoy a big drop in grade at Auckland on Friday night.“You could argue he’s the best horse in the race but I wouldn’t say he stands over them as he’s still very green, and has a lot to learn, and that might hold him up a little bit. But he’s certainly a good winning chance.”

No student of form would argue with that given the quality of horse which Omaha Lincoln took on fresh-up.

After racing three back on the pegs, Omaha Lincoln finished strongly, albeit running out, to be only a length behind the impressive Lucky Luka, who clocked a 1:56.5 mile rate for the 1700 metres.

The two runners drawn each side of Omaha Lincoln on Friday night, Cyclone Miki ($3.20) and Envy Of Angels ($3.10) are most favoured to beat him but Green rates Lincoln Farms’ second runner Jessie Lincoln a show too.

Jessie Lincoln ($20, $3) resumed with a bold fourth behind Dolly Parton last week, coming from last at the 400, sweeping up four wide on the home turn and powering home to run easily the fastest closing sectionals in the race of 57.09 and 28.43.

“She got home better than anything and that was her first run for a while so you’d expect she’ll improve on that,” Green said.

Inside draw no favour

Sammy Lincoln ($2.50, $1.22) gets another chance to return to the winner’s circle in the fourth race, his inside draw albeit no favour.

Sammy Lincoln again showed his early tardiness last week, unable to stay on the gate and receiving a warning on his barrier manners.

As a result he got well back in the running and, after improving three wide at the bell, he was forced four wide out of the home straight and never got closer than three wide afterwards.

To stick to his guns in the run home and finish only 1.5 lengths behind winning hot pot Georgie Best, spoke volumes for his ability.

“He’s always had that kind of ability, he’s just needed to be inspired. But he’s starting to get the idea and it’s not a big field this week.

“He’s getting money every week and is an each-way chance again.”

Hardest to beat will be the Arna Donnelly-trained Signman ($2.80, $1.26) having his first start since running sixth in Jumal’s Northern Derby on May 1.

Green was pretty happy with the resuming run of Sugar Ray Lincoln ($10, $2.10) last week when he ran only sixth behind Jeremiah but spent plenty of petrol to retain the lead.

Sugar Ray drops to a R41 to R54 race on Friday night and from two on the gate should get a nice trip.

“He should improve with last week’s run.”

Rivergirl Bella ($91, $9.50) took no part when resuming last week after galloping early and, despite landing the inside draw in the Nevele R Fillies heat, race eight, looks to have little chance.

“You can’t condemn her on last week’s run but this is a very strong race.”