Plunge Girl will test Zachary’s skills at Manawatu on Thursday night

Lincoln’s Girl gave the bookies a real fright at Manawatu on Tuesday but trainer Ray Green can’t find any reasons for punters to unleash again on Thursday night.

The Lincoln Farms’ mare was the centre of a decent plunge on the first night of the meeting, her $8 fixed odds price caving in to little more than $3.

And when Lincoln’s Girl darted up the passing lane early in the run home, it looked like she would easily reel in leader Stoppitt and spark a flood of payouts round the country.

But while the mare got within a head of her rival, she couldn’t go on, and ended up going under by half a length.

The writing was on the wall a round earlier, however, when Blair Orange came looking for the lead on Stoppitt and driver Zac Butcher was stunned when Lincoln’s Girl failed to offer her usual resistance.

“She would normally have been off but Zac said she just flopped along and didn’t seem to worry so he thought he’d better duck for cover,’’ says Green.

“In hindsight it was the right thing to do because she didn’t fire.’’

Green isn’t the greatest fan of the mare but even he thought she would win over the sprint trip with such a big drop in class.

He knows trips away can be stressful for horses but he is making no such excuses for the below par performance.

“If something had been amiss she wouldn’t have run second so I’m not offering any excuses.’’

And after a raft of workouts and three races this campaign he could not reach for the unfit card for Lincoln’s Girl.

Unless Lincoln’s Girl can steal some cheap fractionals in front again on Thursday night, he says he can’t see the result changing as the mare must this time extend to 2500 metres, a little past her comfort zone.

Vinibaka … doesn’t want to be a racehorse.Green is no more hopeful for Vinibaka who could manage only fifth on the first night despite easily crossing to the lead and having his own way in front.

Challenged at the 400 metre mark, he held his place ‘til the 250 before fainting, finishing nearly five lengths from winner Helix.

The disappointing Christian Cullen colt, whose half brother Run Oneover has won 19 races, simply doesn’t want to be a racehorse, he says.

“He just doesn’t seem to try.’’

Vinibaka is drawn to lead again for Butcher in the third race.