Obadiah Dragon powers home to catch Ideal Delight and J T Boe. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Ray: Obadiah Dragon just the honest pony to make someone in Australia very happy
By Barry Lichter • 10 August 2024
Obadiah Dragon’s win at Auckland on Friday night came as no surprise to Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green.
What does surprise him is the fact the three-year-old is still here and not racing in Australia “where he would make someone very happy.
“I can’t believe nobody wants to buy him - he’s a perfect horse for Aussie. He’s not a topliner but he’s a good, honest, tradesman-like horse who has plenty more wins left in him.
“He’s been closing in on a win for a while and getting a slot closer in the running this time made all the difference.”
Perfectly handled by stable driver Andre Poutama, Obadiah Dragon sat three back in the running line until unleashed turning for home, and maintained his run right to the line to score by half a neck.
“As long as you don’t burn him too early, he doesn’t go a bad race,” said Green of the gelding who clocked a sweet mile rate of 1:56 for the 1700 metres.
The win was his third and first at northern headquarters, taking his season record to two wins and five thirds, delivering on the promise Green made to his owners, Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton and his mates Paul Humphries and Ian Harris.
“Ray kept on saying to me ‘don’t give up on him yet’,” Middleton said. “He’s definitely got stronger and he’ll win his share, it’s just a question of whether that share is big enough for us.
“We’ll either sell him to Australia or take him ourselves but if we get our price, he’s gone.”
Obadiah Dragon will now be hit with an eight point rating penalty and Green said it would soon become impossible to find suitable races for him in New Zealand.
“You can’t place them here any more but he’d have any number of options in Australia.”
Obadiah Dragon, who now has a bankroll of $38,723, was the first Down Under winner for Macca Lodge’s Ohio-based stallion Fear The Dragon when he scored by 15 lengths at Manawatu last November.
From very limited opportunities, the 2017 North American Cup winner now claims five individual winners here, including recent Addington two-year-old winner Aretha, along with another 19 in Australia.
Out of Tuapeka Lodge’s most successful family, tracing back to Sakuntala, Obadiah Dragon cost $27,000 as a yearling and was chosen by Green’s wife Debbie.
More news in Harness
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Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
