Ray hoping for bold run from gelded Sugar Ray but Mainlanders sure to stifle in-form stable

Ray Green and Nathan Delany might be sixth on the trainers’ premiership after 13 wins in the last five weeks but they know their task just got a whole lot harder with an influx of classy Mainlanders.

Though in-form, none of Lincoln Farms’ seven runners at Auckland on Friday night are better than $26 chances and Green admits he’s hopeful rather than confident he can get any money.

But one he’s hoping can surprise and sneak into the placings is the enigmatic Sugar Ray Lincoln, who will start one of the outsiders in the $60,000 Alabar Classic.

“You wouldn’t tip him against Marketplace who is clearly the best three-year-old in the country, but since we gelded Sugar Ray he’s been pacing a lot better. He’s training really well and could go well fresh.”

Green’s hand was finally forced into making the ultimate gear change when the horse’s fancy steps on the track continually hampered his chances.

“We could put up with him kicking and throwing his front feet like his big brother Copy That but he wasn’t getting any better on the track and couldn’t handle the corners properly. And he wasn’t going to be as good as Copy That, not many are, he’s a tough act to follow.”

It will be Sugar Ray’s first race since New Year’s Eve, but he had a pipe-opener at the Pukekohe workouts on February 20 when a half neck second to Always B Misty.

“This is his first run and there’s a bigger race the following week - the $200,000 Harness Millions - but from two on the gate I’m hoping he’ll go well.”

Lincoln Lou ($41), who starts alongside his stablemate in three, is in career best form, with two wins, but Green knows this will be a lot tougher than the R49 to R59 event last time when he dead-heated with Iron Brigade.

“You can’t fault what he’s done - and we know he’s capable of giving some a fright - but these are the best three-year-olds in commission.”

Debbie Lincoln, pictured beating Without You, is at $41 fixed odds but Green is sure she’s up to her rivals on ability. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Debbie Lincoln ($41) takes on the Group II Ladyship Stakes, another in great form after out-toughing Purdon Racing’s heavily backed favourite Without You on February 21.

Though drawn badly on the outside of the second row, Green refuses to write her off.

“The draw inconveniences us a bit but I think she’s as good as anything in the race ability-wise. We can’t be too confident but she’s certainly good enough and she’s going well.”

Debbie Lincoln’s main target, says Green, is the $150,000 Harness Millions a week later.

Colonel Lincoln ($51) and Frisco Bay ($41) are also in top form but face what looks to be an insurmountable task in the $40,000 Lincoln Farms Founders Cup.

“I could have put them in an easier race but they would have drawn the car park, whereas here I knew they’d draw the two inside spots. And over only 1700 metres, from good draws, one of them could get lucky.”

Green’s rationale also took into account they could earn almost as much for running fourth in the Founders Cup as for second in the alternative race.

“You can’t fault what the Colonel has done since he’s come back - he’s not been out of the money in seven starts - and he’s put up some tough races, sitting parked one night and shaking them all off.”

Green says Colonel Lincoln has trained on well and is very fit for his clash with big guns Republican Party ($3.20) and Mo’unga ($3.50).

“Frisco Bay has dawn to get a good trip and it will be interesting to see where he fits in. Ours have a bit of race fitness under their belts but these are the best around so we’re only hoping. But they’re all beatable.”

Whats Up The Hill … got tired late and switched into a pace.Whats Up The Hill (26), well supported on debut last week, also meets a field that looks beyond him and includes 18-race winner Jasinova.

“I wouldn’t bet him but it’s all good experience for him. It was his first race last week, first everything, and he was a bit slow away and not fit enough to pull it off.

“Maurice (McKendry) said he was getting tired when he switched into a pace late (subsequently disqualified). He’s always been capable of that. It was hard not to get him to pace initially.”

Whats Up The Hill, out of former top filly Escapee, has plenty of pacing blood in his pedigree, but Green says he’s been trotting much more solidly lately and has trained on well.

Kevin Kline ($34) opens the batting in the first race, set a big task from the inside of the second row.

The three-year-old had the same draw last start, ending up well back in the field after being checked when the pole marker galloped out of the gate.

Kevin Kline boasts placings behind Spirit Of Waiheke and Colonel Lincoln before that but Green says, while racing well, he’s totally at the mercy of those in front of him again on Friday.