Over virus and with tighter hopples, Sammy only needs to bring his best behaviour to win

Sammy Lincoln only has to behave himself to win at Auckland on Friday night.

The talented three-year-old has only six rivals in the third race and opened a warm $2.60 favourite, bookies obviously forgiving him for the home turn break which cost him a win at the Park three weeks ago.

Sammy Lincoln had barely begun to leave the trail behind the pacemaking It’s Not Kathy when he started reaching for his hopples and broke, finishing fourth but subsequently disqualified for galloping more than 50 metres in the last 200.

Lincoln Farm trainers Ray Green and Nathan Delany were forced to ease up on the big Always B Miki gelding after that when he picked up a virus.

But while it’s three weeks since that race and Green says Sammy Lincoln may be a little short on fitness, he still rates him a winner.

“We’ve pulled up his hopples a bit and I would expect his class to carry him through.

“He is vulnerable with his behaviour at the moment but he’s only got to get round without any silliness and I can’t see how they can beat him.”

Sammy Lincoln has drawn five on Friday night but driver Harrison Orange is unlikely to want the lead again anyway given how green the gelding was when in front last time.

His main opposition is likely to come from recent workout winner Lulana who has drawn the outside but looked promising when run down only late after sitting parked on debut at Cambridge last September.

Lincoln Farms’ Rivergirl Bella is a $31 outsider in the same race and, despite drawing well in two, Green can’t see her figuring.

“She’s plenty fast enough but needs to get fitter. She was always going to need the run last time as it was her first for a long time but will keep improving.”

Spiritual Bliss wins her fifth race from just seven starts at Lincoln Farms. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.It’s not surprising in-form mare Spiritual Bliss is also at the long odds of $26 in the second race over a mile, given her opposition.

Though Spiritual Bliss (R60) has won five of her last seven starts, she lands in a mobile race that sees a crazy 37-point rating spread - R53 to R90 - with the likes of Miracle Mile runner-up Sooner The Bettor (R90), Queensland Derby winner Rubira (R89) and New Zealand Cup fourth placegetter Better Knuckle Up (R73) against her.

Green, however, has not raised the white flag.

“She won’t be completely out of it, she’s better than people think. The inside second row draw isn’t ideal, and luck will obviously play a part, but I think she’ll still be competitive.”

Stablemate Leo Lincoln ($51), an R55 pacer with just seven wins to his name, won’t trouble the judge in his first start for the year.

“We’ve thrown him in the deep end, but it was either that or trial. He’s been going OK but he’ll need the run for sure.”

Johnny Lincoln ($11) rounds out the Lincoln Farms’ team for the night in the fourth race, a much better programmed R44 to R49 2200 metres.

And while the lowest rated, Green says “they’ll know he’s there.

“He’s racing super and he’s trained on well since his Metro Final win. He races tough and at Auckland they have to be tough now.”

Whether or not that will help him against the resuming $1.30 favourite Allamericanplayer remains to be seen.