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.”
More news in Harness
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Leo poised to roar again - he looks a ratings special at Cambridge on Thursday night
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.”
