Lincoln La Moose sprints past Katies Princess fresh-up at Cambridge. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.
Ray: Why the Moose only battled last time and is worth another chance on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 2 January 2025
Don’t let that last-start eighth put you off Lincoln La Moose at Cambridge on Friday night.
That’s the advice from Lincoln Farms’ co-trainer Ray Green who gives the horse a good chance in the seventh race despite having the lowest rating.
An impressive first-up winner at Cambridge in his previous start, when he sprinted fast from the trail, Lincoln La Moose was all out of tickets turning for home on Christmas Eve.
But Green, now in a training partnership with Nathan Delany, says the horse simply pulled too hard in the running after driver Zachary Butcher restrained him when parked and the improving horse Double Jeopardy took longer than expected to head him.
“Zac tried to let the other horse go and after it took a while to arrive, he started pulling and half choked. When they pull that hard in the run, it takes a lot out of them.
“He’s got a better draw this time, should hop straight into the trail, and hopefully get home as well as when he won the time before.”
Green is also expecting another big effort from Commander Lincoln in the fourth race, undeterred by his niggly six draw.
“The draw doesn’t matter with him as he’s not one to leave the gate. I thought he went super last time. He got home really well and was unlucky not to run second or even win.”
Checked by the galloping Neymar 200 metres from home, Commander Lincoln did well to close within three-quarters of a length and half a head of upset winner Vincent’s Girl.
Friday night’s field is a little stronger but Green says: “he’ll go his unsual honest race.”
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
