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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Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
