Ray: Friday run at Auckland good experience for Johnny Lincoln and he won’t be disgraced

He’s tackling older and more experienced horses at Auckland on Friday night but co-trainer Ray Green doesn’t expect Johnny Lincoln ($9.50, $2.50) to be disgraced, even from a second row draw.

The Lather Up two-year-old will be having only his second start in the third race, and will meet in-form four-year-old Tytate ($2.15), but Green says everything points to the colt going another good race.

“I was really happy with his first run for third behind Fitzory and Nymbal and either of those would win this race if they were in.

“His manners were great at Cambridge and it will be interesting to see how he does with a lot more horses in the field. They’re much more experienced than him, of course, but that’s a good thing.”

Green says Johnny Lincoln’s chances will be determined by what happens in front of him but there’s a chance he could get a nice run through behind Aunty Rose, who led until the shadows of the post last time at Auckland.

“He’s always shown plenty but I’m really looking at this race as good experience for him to set him up to be a good horse.”

Onyx Shard, sold to Australia today, won three races and $37,000 for Ian Middleton, pictured, and his mates Paul Humphries and Ian Harris.Onyx Shard sold

The remaining horses that Green will line up for Lincoln Farms look set to struggle, their numbers reduced today by the scratching of Onyx Shard, who has been sold to Jason Grimson’s stable at Menangle, outside Sydney.

“She was going to win one soon but after that she would have had to run down the track for her next six starts to become competitive again, which is an expensive exercise.

“She’s a nice buy for them and will do well over there. And she has residual value as a Sweet Lou mare.”

Green said a number of Lincoln Farms’ team had recently won their way out of contention under the present handicapping system here and would have to work their way down the ratings.

Leo Lincoln (R59) was in that boat, hopelessly placed against Greased Lightnin (R73), Seaclusion (R65) and Treacherous Baby (R63) in a five-horse field in the opening race.

“He’s honest enough and will do his best but he doesn’t really need to be fronting up to those horses. Hopefully he’ll lose a point.”

Leo Lincoln, back from a successful last trip to Palmerston North, where he won a good double, ran a solid fourth at the Park last week, just outsprinted over the last quarter.

Green expects the same thing to happen to Kevin Kline, who also fronts up in the first race.

“It will probably turn into a sprint up the straight like most of these small fields. And it’s Kevin’s first since Palmy, so we’re not expecting much.

“But he’s drawn well and it’s only 1700 metres. Hopefully one of them can run third.”

Moose in new bit

Green says while it’s hard to recommend Lincoln La Moose from the outside gate in the last race, he can’t be discounted.

“The draw’s not good but he’s capable of winning with a good trip.

“He pulled his block off last time but we’ve changed his bit for Friday. He’s had a sympathetic bit in his last few starts, and wasn’t respecting it, so he’s got a more severe bit this time and we’re hoping that gets his attention.”