Prince set to sign off 2025 in style but Ray tips out two specials to follow in the New Year

Prince Lincoln was placed in the first two-year-old race of the season and looks nicely placed to do the same in the last at Auckland on New Year’s Eve.

But whatever Prince Lincoln does in the fifth race on Wednesday, co-trainer Ray Green tips there are two babies waiting in the wings who will eclipse what the Lincoln Farms’ two-year-olds have done this year, albeit four of their runners having won seven races.

Lincoln Wave going through his paces for co-trainer Nathan Delany. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Sammy Lincoln. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.Green’s New Year gift for punters is the inside word on two horses whose early hopes were dashed by injury but are not far away from finally hitting the racetrack.

• Lincoln Wave, a Downbytheseaside colt who is out of a sister to former star Gold Ace and
• Sammy Lincoln, an Always B Miki gelding whose half-brother Alta Intrigue was a consistently good performer for Lincoln Farms before his sale to Australia.

“Lincoln Wave had a bit of sesamoiditis and Sammy Lincoln had a hairline fracture of his tibia but they’ve both shown a lot of ability and won’t take long to win.

“They’d be our best two two-year-olds but I’m sure Prince Lincoln will race well again on Wednesday as he’s developed into such a nice horse since he debuted in February.

“I can’t believe he’s not picked in four (on the HRNZ website). Sure, Crippa Max won well on debut but this is a decent step-up.”

Green and his training partner Nathan Delany have added a piece of head gear which they’re hoping will help Prince Lincoln find even more in the run to the line - sliding blinds.

“He actually headed Cyclone Rebel last start but switched off.”

Green explained that because Prince Lincoln is simply better than most of Lincoln Farms’ other two-year-olds he is very blase about it all.

“The sliding blinds seem to have helped in training and he’s got to be a good each-way chance. He just needs a bit of luck from six on the gate.”

Green hopes that Johnny Lincoln, who starts from the outside, can get a cheque but says he doesn’t have as much speed as his stablemate.

Lead - trail ?

Speed is not something lacking in both Spiritual Bliss and Debbie Lincoln who could lead and trail from the inside draws in the seventh race.

“I think Spiritual Bliss will be able to handle the rise in class. She’s a pretty good mare who keeps finding when the pressure goes on.

“It won’t be easy but she has a good draw and has already run a mile in 1:55.3.

“It’s hard to know how Spritual Bliss compares with Debbie Lincoln but I don’t think there’s much in it. We’ll find out on Wednesday.”

Green said Debbie Lincoln was still the fastest three-year-old to win over 1700 metres around Alexandra Park and she was excellent again when just pipped on the line by stablemate Tyson last time.

Green doesn’t believe Tyson will be affected by a rise in grade in the last race.

“It won’t stop him if they go a bit harder - he can still run a 56 half off a solid pace - and it’s not that big a rise in class on Wednesday.

“He’s improving all the time, more than I thought he would. He could easily win again, you can’t fault what he’s done in his last four starts.”

Green said Leo Lincoln got a pass mark for his first-up fifth at Cambridge.

“We threw him in the deep end first-up when he really needed another trial. That race will bring him on a bit but I think he’ll need another before we see him at his best.

“Right-handed he’s not so good but he’s won over $100,000 so he’s no slug.”

Leo Lincoln paced a career best last July at Auckland when clocking 2:39.9 for the mobile 2200 metres.