Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night

Lincoln Farms’ co-trainer and owner Nate Delany’s confidence has been dented a little by The Night Fox’s draw at Auckland on Friday night, the ready-made winner now looking for luck from a tricky second row alley.

Delany left Alexandra Park two weeks ago believing his new recruit was a next-up winner after he was beaten just a nose and a neck. That despite driver Harrison Orange being prevented from getting the best out of the horse because, going right-handed for the first time, he raced with his head on the side.

“Harry said he’d have won for fun if he’d gone straight,” Delany said.

Harrison Orange: The Night Fox would have won for fun if he’d run straight.“We’ve put a pole on him and he’s been a lot better but from the inside of the second row on Friday night, over only 1700 metres, he’ll be looking for a bit of luck.

“I’d rather have drawn eight than where he is, as we have a slow beginner (the favourite Mr Miki) in front of us and another slow one (Tasi Ahnau) beside us.

“But Harrison will find a way out and, if he gets half a run, he’ll be a good chance as he’s been training really well.”

Delany is also hoping for a more genuine tempo after The Night Fox pulled hard in the running last time when leader I Can Too was allowed to dawdle through the 2200 metres at a more than pedestrian pace, eventual winner Tugawar clocking only 2:50.3, a mile rate of 2:04.5.

“They don’t go that slow at the trials,” Delany said.

Three days earlier, in a performance workout ordered by the stewards, The Night Fox actually did run faster when second to Dear God in a 2:04 mile rate over 2050 metres at Pukekohe.

The Night Fox’s behaviour was questioned by Cambridge stewards when, in his first start since being bought by Delany, he caused a false start with a gallop behind the mobile, then repeated the mistake in the re-run.

It turned out that the horse’s legs hit the mobile gate both times in the amateur drivers’ event, and a horror trip afterwards eliminated his chance.

Bookies opened The Night Fox at $6 and $2 for Friday night.

Johnny Lincoln notches a hat-trick at Auckland last week. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.The odds are better for Johnny Lincoln ($9.50, $2.20) in the Metro Final though, he too, starts from a niggly gate five for driver Peter Ferguson.

“We’ll tell Fergie to go out again and see where he ends up. He’s a tough little horse and it won’t hurt him to have a look.”

Johnny Lincoln proved the giant killer last week when, from gate three, he landed the trail and was able to stave off a belated charge from the white hot favourite Allamericanplayer.

The 2:42.5 win saw the Lather Up three-year-old notch a hat-trick but Delany knows this week will be even tougher with a fitter Allamericanplayer, and last-start winners Princess Gracy and Queen Lizzy against him.

“But if Allamericanplayer puts in a few rough ones again, who knows what will happen. I know it’s a tough race but we’re very happy with Johnny and he’s an each-way chance and our best of the night.”

Delany says Leo Lincoln ($46, $5.50) deserves his outsider tag in the fifth race.

“He needed the run first-up and will need a couple more. He’s a bit high up in the grades and needs to drop a few points and get his fitness up.”

Delany and senior partner Ray Green have pencilled in a trip for Leo Lincoln to Palmerston North next month, where he won twice last year.

“The races down there will be ideal for him and the Country Cup on March 12, which he won last year, has a stake of $20,000.”