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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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Dreams Of Eric
5.19pm
“I think he’s a good each-way chance again. I don’t think it’s any harder than the field he beat last week. He’s trained on pretty well. I can’t fault him in any way. He’s got the gate speed to lead but I’ll leave it up to the driver.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Tyson
5.39pm
“Ferg said he was full of running last week but he couldn’t get a run. He’s pretty versatile and should go close again.”
Race 3: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.40pm
“He was starved for racing room up the home straight and finished hard on the winner’s back. You’d have to rate him a decent winning chance.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.40pm
“We had to stop on her after problems with tie-up and a virus but she seems pretty good now. There’s obviously room for improvement but I’m picking she’ll go pretty well. She’s a very nice filly.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.40pm
“If she can get a run on the favourite’s back, she could get some of it as she’s a very honest filly. She hasn’t really settled down since her last prep - she’ll always be a little hot, it’s her nature - but she’s trialling well enough.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.40pm
“She seems to be getting round the corners well now that she’s a bit stronger and she trialled super behind Miki Doo.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
8.06pm
“I have a lot of time for Kev. He’s a very nice horse, which you can see by the form line. I’m sure he’ll be thereabouts again, even against Mantra Blue and Lady Of The Light.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.05pm
“He’ll be scratched. He’s been sold to Canada.”
