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John Street with his impressive colt Argyle, at $210,000 the most expensive of the yearlings he bought in February.

Ray on Lincoln Farms’ talented new babies: ‘We should have some real sport next season’

The lazy days of lockdown are a mere memory for Lincoln Farms trainer Ray Green.

But you won’t hear Green and his team complaining about having to work 41 horses at Pukekohe.

For apart from the 27 they trained last Saturday, there were another 14 yearlings who on paper, and on early impressions, should be the best young bunch they’ve ever had.

While Green is delighted with how a number of his 17 two-year-olds have weathered the COVID-19 hiatus - horses like Bondi Shake and Jeff Beck developing into beautiful looking animals - he admits to a sense of excitement at seeing his 2020 sale graduates in the cart.

“We’ve gone a bit up market and have some serious yearlings here,” says Green. “We should have some real sport with them next season.”

The 12 colts and two fillies, which cost a total of $1.13 million, include some of the prized catches at both Auckland and Christchurch in February.

Emilio Rosati’s sale-topping $250,000 colt I’m Cushty, since renamed Master Stride (Captaintreacherous - Hi Ho Silver Lining), is a lovely big horse, says Green.

And boss John Street’s pricey Bettor’s Delight pair of Argyle ($210,000) and Next To Me ($200,000) are already pacing beautifully.

“I drove Argyle myself this morning and, while obviously still very green, he’s a very good pacer. Maxim’s brother looks promising too.

“Seven or eight of them are actually really good pacers. I know it’s early days yet but I can’t imagine us not having a couple of serious contenders out of this bunch.”

Ray Green gets to know one of his new yearlings, a cheap American Ideal colt, Whiz On Bye.Ray Green gets to know one of his new yearlings, a cheap American Ideal colt, Whiz On Bye.Green has taken an early fancy to his two fillies also - Nirvana Franco (Bettor’s Delight - Nearea Franco) came with a $100,000 price tag and Major Grace (Art Major - Zariya) cost $48,000.

Pasquale, a Bettor’s Delight - Holly Madison colt, who cost $110,000 also gets an honourable mention as do a few of Green’s more bargain buys, two American Ideal colts, Simply Sam and Louie LeBeau, having a sweet action.

Copy That’s half brother, My Copy, whom Green’s wife Debbie snared for just $3000 as a weanling, has also grown into a beautiful big specimen.

“It will be a month or two before we know which ones will go on and run early. When we pick things up, a couple will object to that, and get turned out. But they’re a good quality lot, more potent than this year’s crop.”

Not that Green isn’t expecting good things from some of his 17 rising three-year-olds.

Impressive debut winner American Dealer has grown a bit and, all going well, will race in July.

Bondi Shake is looking great. He’s only running halves in 1:10 at the moment but in another week he’ll start going quicker.

“And Jeff Beck has grown into a lovely looking horse. He was crying out for a break earlier in the year but is doing everything beautifully at the moment. He’s always shown plenty.”

Green is also hoping for further improvement from Apieceoflou who really surprised him last prep by qualifying in March.

Off to Australia

Three of his most precocious two-year-olds, Platinum Stride, Prestige Stride and Vanquish Stride, are lost to New Zealand, already booked on a flight to Australia by Rosati because of the uncertainty in stakes here.

Two of Merv Butterworth’s reps, The Emperor and Bettor My Dreamz, are also awaiting transport across the Tasman.

Lincoln Farms’ three-year-olds will all race in New Zealand in the first instance, business manager Ian Middleton keen to see the lie of the land before making any further decisions on their future.

Along with Butterworth’s top liner Copy That, Green is preparing Tommy Lincoln, Man Of Action and Larry Lincoln for racing in July.

“We’ll try them here initially, see how they come up and what the fields and stakes are like. But if they’re only going to be getting one start every two weeks, or are getting rated out of it, then we’ll move them to Australia.”

Green says it will be a few weeks yet before the team is ready to compete at the workouts - “we only started hoppling the two and three-year-olds this week.”

Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them

Nathan Delany

Nathan’s comments

Thursday night at Cambridge

Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm

“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”

Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm

“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”

Ray Green

Ray’s comments

Friday night at Auckland

Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm

“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”

Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm

“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”

Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm

“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”

Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm

“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”

Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm

“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”

Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm

“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”

Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm

“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”

Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm

“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”

Dan Costello Race Photography