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
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$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
OK Sammy, lightning bolts aside, Ray’s relying on you to do things right this time
Lincoln Dealer has the genes but not the barrier draw for Cambridge debut
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”
Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”
Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm
“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm
“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm
“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm
“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”
Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm
“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”
