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
Friday night at Auckland
Race 5: Lincoln Lover
6.49pm
“You can’t fault what he’s done in his last four starts - he hasn’t missed a cheque. He’s raced at Auckland before as a two-year-old against good horses so it shouldn’t be too daunting for him. He’ll go an honest race, it’s just whether he’s good enough.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
7.57pm
Nathan Delany: “He had to trial on Tuesday after hitting the gate and breaking at Cambridge and I was happy with how he went. He ran Dear God to half a length in 2:38, and got home in 27.3. I’ll tell Harry to have one run at them and he should beat them for speed. Hopefully they run along a bit and he’ll sprint straight past them.”
Race 7: Lincoln Maree
7.57pm
“She lacks a bit of speed but she’s a rough chance.”
Race 8: Lincoln Linda
8.24pm
“It’s her first start for five months and she hasn’t trialled but she’s training well. She has plenty of ability and there’s nothing wonderful in the race. In the past she’s been her own worst enemy, a lunatic at times, but she seems more settled this time in. You could say I’m hopeful more than confident.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.24pm
“She has a bit of speed. She hasn’t been strong but seems to have developed a bit more this time in and is training quite well. I don’t think there’s much between her and Lincoln Linda.”
