Ray needs good results from blood test and gear change to repel southern fillies’ charge

Co-trainer Ray Green needs two things to happen if he is to repel the southern challengers in the two-year-old fillies’ race at Auckland on Friday night.

Lincoln Farms has the unbeaten Angelic Copy and the erratic but speedy Lincoln Linda in the 10th race, where the two favourites are the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety-trained The Queen’s Gambit and Purdon racing’s debutant River.

But firstly, Green needs a positive blood report from Angelic Copy ($3.40) on Thursday morning after the filly had a minor tie-up episode earlier in the week.

“I’m not too worried as she’s bouncing around today but we won’t risk her if she’s not right,” Green said.

“If she lines up, she’ll race pretty well. She’s a proper little racehorse and you can’t fault what she’s done. How far she goes remains to be seen.”

Secondly, Green says he needs to see a gear change work on Lincoln Linda ($6.50) who has been beating herself in her recent racing.

“We’ve got her geared up so she’s not trying to kill herself any more. We’re using a different bit which gives the driver more control over her and she’s submitted to it. She’s been training well in it.”

Green says the only thing that separates Lincoln Linda, who has run three placings, and Angelic Copy, who boasts three wins, is their manners.

“Angelic Copy’s manners are excellent whereas the other filly is a bit of a twit. But more racing will settle her down. She’s improving slowly and is going better now.”

The Queen’s Gambit looked a winner-in-waiting when a close fourth on debut at Addington.Southern favourite The Queen’s Gambit ($2.80) is the complete opposite and looked a ready-made runner when she sat parked for the last 1300 metres on debut at Addington and finished less than two lengths from Purdon Racing’s Secret Wish. Drawn the pole, she is clearly the one to beat.

Racing to lose rating points

Green isn’t holding his breath for any of Lincoln Farms’ remaining three runners, two of whom are only going around to lose rating points.

Lincoln La Moose ($21), the lowest rated in the fifth race, looks to have little chance against much better performed horses like Invisible, Always B You and Captain Sampson.

“He’s very honest and from one he’ll get a nice trip, which will help, but he’s really just going round to lose points.”

Im Not The Maid is even worse off in the opening race, where she is a forlorn $41 chance in early betting.

“She can’t win. She’s only in the race because there’s nowhere else to go at the moment.

“She’s in a very unfair spot in the ratings. She’s an R51 after winning two low stake races on Tuesday meetings at Cambridge. I’ve got better horses here who are rated a lot lower than her.

“So we have no option than to race to drop points.”

With Debbie Lincoln scratched with a foot injury, it is left to Sugar Ray Lincoln ($8.50) to fly the green flag.

“He’s trained on well and on his best form, he’d be hard to beat. But I don’t know what to expect from him, he’s a hard horse to read.”