
Colonel Lincoln, nearest camera, is back after a long break at Cambridge on Tuesday.
Patient owners hoping high-priced Colonel can salute at Cambridge on Thursday night
Lincoln Farms and its partners in Colonel Lincoln have had to be patient but the former sale-topper is at last ready to show his ability.
All eyes will be on the four-year-old when he tackles the sixth event at Cambridge on Thursday night, his first race for nearly 21 months.
And despite the long break, and all that has happened to the big horse, trainer Ray Green is expecting a bold showing.
Since Lincoln Farms’ owner John Street paid $200,000 for the Bettor’s Delight - Jessies Cullen colt in February 2021, he’s spent more time in the wars than actually racing.
Despite having his early racing hampered by claustrophobia, Colonel Lincoln won his fifth start, at Cambridge, looping the field like a horse who would go on with the job.
Colonel Lincoln … two tendon scares since he last raced.But he showed signs of a bowed tendon in April, 2023 and had six months off, during which time he was gelded and spent time on the water treadmill at Margaret Park in Matangi.
“He’d been back in work for only three weeks when he tried to bow the other leg,” Green said. “Luckily, we caught it in time before it got serious.
“This time since he’s been back it’s been good, and there has been no sign of a problem.”
Colonel Lincoln has had two workouts in preparation for his resumption, the lastest at Pukekohe on December 5 when he trailed third before improving to lead and holding second place well behind Matai Phil.
“His training has been good since and he should go well first-up.
“He’s a beautiful, big horse who probably lacks a yard of speed to be a real super horse but he’s got everything else. I expect him to go well against this lot.”
That prediction will be welcomed by Lynne and John Street, and the other partners who stayed in the horse after his injuries, John’s sister Bev Glass, brother Kevin and wife Glenis.
Lincoln La Moose, won “like a monster” on debut at Cambridge. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Drawn to trail
Another useful pacer resuming for Lincoln Farms on Thursday night is Art Major three-year-old Lincoln La Moose, who has drawn to trail in the seventh race.
“He hasn’t raced for more than three months but he’s training well and has surprised us before, like when he won his first start at Cambridge like a monster after breaking on the first turn.”
Lincoln La Moose “went through a bad patch” in his last prep, according to Green, pacing roughly and placing in just two of eight starts.
“It’s always the way when they win their first start - it makes things hard for them after that - but he’s travelling well now and is capable of being in it.”
Green is expecting an improved effort in the fourth race from Onyx Shard who needed her first-up run, when sixth at Auckland.
“She’s a nice filly who is training really well and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the money in spite of the outside draw.
“She’d be one of the best in that field and is definitely an each-way chance.”
Green is also hoping to get a cheque with Commander Lincoln, who opens in the second race.
“Back to Cambridge and the easier amateur ranks he can get some of it. He’s an honest little horse who pays his way.”
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Tyson in the right form to deliver a knockout punch at Cambridge on Friday night
Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Argyle.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln La Moose
5.43pm
“Drawn well, he should get a good trip and be the one to beat. He got held up at Cambridge last time and these amateur races are easier to win.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.43pm
“The form line doesn’t show it but he actually went ok last time, they just sprinted and left him flat-footed. He’ll go his usual honest race.”
Race 2: Angelic Copy
6.16pm
“She and Linda train and trial together and are much more forward than the others. She’s a proper little tradesman who can do whatever you want and she tries hard.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
6.16pm
“He’s not as forward as the fillies. He’s still learning and can do nothing but improve.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lover
6.16pm
“He’s another who will benefit from the experience but he’s by Bettor’s Delight and they tend to lift their game when the money’s up.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.16pm
“She has a bit of speed but is not as tractable as Linda - she doesn’t handle the corners quite as well and might be a little better left-handed. But she’s as good as any of them at the moment and, in the small field, should get her chance.”
Race 2: Lincoln Linda
6.16pm
“Though drawn the outside, she should really be the one to beat, based on her trial. She’s quite a strong filly, who is well gaited and should go forward. Maurice (McKendry) has driven her two or three times and he likes her.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.08pm
“He should be dangerous against what is not a wonderful bunch. He trialled well, a nose behind Lewey Maguire (home in 56.4). All three of mine are nice horses and should be right there.”
Race 4: Tyson
7.08pm
“He was laying in on the corners last time at Cambridge and it was just a sprint home. He needs to be driven a bit more aggressively - he’s gone his best races when he’s been put in the race. Remember he sat parked when third to Arna’s good one (Chase Me) in December. He can tough it.”
Race 4: Colonel Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s training down well, as good as you could expect. He’s done nothing wrong in three starts back. The outside draw is an inconvenience but, when he slots in, he won’t be far off them.”
Race 7: Kevin Kline
8.38pm
“He got held up last time and the winner got away on him. He should get a nice trip from one. He’ll go another honest race and will be in it for a while.”
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.38pm
“She could be quite a nice filly. The way she’s developing I think she’ll be competitive against the better fillies later in the year. She’s quite versatile and can race tough. She has a lot of potential.”
Race 7: Frisco Bay
8.38pm
“He’d be on a par with Debbie for speed but he can get a bit carried away. Hopefully he can get a nice suck into it. I can’t fault the way they’re training and whichever of the two gets the best trip should win.”