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.
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Ray’s comments
Tuesday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Commander Lincoln
5.06pm
“He ran his best race last week, just failing to catch the winner and from two we should see more of the same.”
Race 6: Im Not The Maid
6.57pm
“She had a bit of a duel up front last week and over-raced afterwards, which cost her. I’ll use some plugs (removeable deafeners) this week which should help. She tries hard and has a good draw.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln La Moose
5.38pm
“We couldn’t find anything specific that explained his poor last effort. He’s a nice enough horse but he’s still very green. I wouldn’t condemn him on that last run and he’s trained on well.”
Race 1: Tyson
5.38pm
“He had a bit of a foot issue after his last race and we had to stop and cut a bit of his seedy toe away. He missed a bit of work but he trialled well last week and I expect him to go well.”
Race 9: Frisco Bay
9.31pm
“I was very pleased with his run in the Metro Final last week and, in a much weaker field, he looks the one to beat.”
Race 9: Obadiah Dragon
9.31pm
“He’s going good races and I don’t think there’s a lot between him and Frisco Bay. He can get another cheque.”
