Ray Green checking out Copy That at Lincoln Farms last Saturday with stable foreman Andrew Drake.
Ray back in hospital ‘after going downhill fast’ but improving and knows he must take it easy
By Barry Lichter • 7 December 2022
As much as Ray Green would love to be at Alexandra Park on Friday night to see Copy That race he knows that wouldn’t be wise after being re-admitted to Middlemore Hospital yesterday afternoon.
Green, 77, was feeling “pretty crook” yesterday prompting the district nurse to dispatch him to hospital.
Green was discharged from Middlemore last Friday seemingly recovering well from a seven-hour operation to repair internal damage after being kicked in the stomach by a young horse.
He was back at Lincoln Farms’ stable the next morning, checking on the team and watching a few workouts.
“Possibly I was overdoing it a bit. I got tired pretty quickly but was feeling OK until yesterday when I went downhill fast.
“I was losing more fluid than I was taking in but they’re working hard to get my potassium level right again. They’re doing a good job, throwing everything at me.
“I’ve had cat scans, ECGs, you name it, I’ve had it. But I think the biggest problem is that, with the stoma bag, I’m not fully utilising the food going into me.
“I’ve got a drip now. They’re poking a lot of stuff into me and I’m vastly improved on yesterday.”
12kg loss in weight
Green said in the two weeks he’s been out of action he’s lost 12kg in weight - he didn’t eat anything for the first five days after his surgery.
“I’m a bit weak and just need to take it easy and let nature take its course. It was a serious injury with a big surgery and all that takes its toll.
“I’ve got to be realistic. I’d like to think I’m making progres but I think I’m just getting to the levelling out stage.”
Green said he had no idea how long he will be kept in hospital - “But I don’t think they’ll be cutting me loose too soon.
“I doubt I’ll be able to go to the races on Friday. That might be detrimental to my progress. But the horses are all in good hands, everyone at the farm knows their job, and Blair’s (Orange) coming up to drive five of them.
“I live in hope but have to be realistic and take stock of what’s happened.”
More news in Harness
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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Major Achievement
5.19pm
“It’s his first race for a while and he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the workouts. But he’s been racing better animals and this isn’t a stellar bunch. He’s a chance if things go his way. I’ve given Mathew Salaivao the drive.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.19pm
“He’s an average horse but the last time he raced here in amateur company he all but won. He’ll need luck from the second row but, while I couldn’t label him, he’s a runner’s chance.”
Race 5: Onyx Shard
6.59pm
“She got a bit sick for a while with a virus and I had to back off her. She seems over that now but I’m picking she’ll need a race. This will be like a glorified trial for her.”
Race 8: My Copy
8.14pm
“He came to the end of it so I gave him a little freshen-up and he seems in good shape again. It will be interesting to see how he goes fresh - he may need a race but he’ll appreciate the step-down in class. I’m running him here so he doesn’t come up against any bear cats first-up.”
Race 9: Lincoln Cove
8.47pm
“Hopefully he’s getting better but you’ve just got to take him on trust. He has ability but the desire has been sadly lacking. Zac will have to sit quietly on him as he broke when given only one tap with the stick last time. The small field will suit him as he won’t be too far off them. If he doesn’t make any mistakes, he’ll give them a fright.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Leo Lincoln
6.43pm
“Maurice said he would have finished a lot closer last time than sixth (fourth or even third) had he not locked wheels at the 100. That took all his momentum away. He’s been holding his form well and he gets out well enough to use the inside draw. He’s a chance to get some of the money.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.39pm
“He did have marks on his boot after his last run and trying a spreader on him has helped. But he’s a real baby. He has real ability but he’s still developing mentally and physically and we’re still finding our way with him.”
Race 5: Lincoln Lou
7.39pm
“He’s racing well but he’ll find it tough from the outside draw.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.07pm
“I can’t see her improving enough to give the Purdon/Phelan trio a fright. She can go (fast) enough but still has a lot to learn. The main thing for her is getting round safely. She’s put two in a row now so hopefully she’ll start improving.”
Race 10: Lincoln La Moose
9.59pm
“He had an excuse last time - he got wiped out on the first corner and that was the end of his race. I like him, he’s a nice horse, just not quite as experienced as Frisco Bay.”
Race 10: Frisco Bay
9.59pm
“I lean towards Frisky as the better chance of our two. You can’t fault what he did the other night at Cambridge, and he seems to be on the improve. He’s more reliable than Lincoln La Moose.”
Mark Dux’s comments
Saturday night at Albion Park
Race 6: Captain Nemo
9.40pm NZ time
“I rate him a good top three chance. I’m really happy with the horse. It’s a decent drop in grade for him and I think maybe we roll the dice, go forward, and take our chances. As long as he doesn’t have to burn stupidly off the gate, if he can find the top, they’ll know he’s in the race.”
