Sammy Lincoln can make amends on Friday after narrow escape - Spiritual Bliss too

If co-trainer Ray Green needed any confirmation of just how unlucky Sammy Lincoln ($2.60) was on debut at Alexandra Park last week, he got it as soon as the horse arrived back at the stable.

“He had a decent puncture wound in his leg from where they ran into him so you certainly couldn’t condemn him for galloping,” Green said.

“And it illustrated just how close he came to being more badly hurt.”

Things went badly wrong for the warm favourite into the first turn when race rival Evernden shifted in on him, checking him and then locking wheels.

Culprit Tony Cameron was later fined $250 for careless driving but the damage was done and, after galloping for nearly 80 metres, Sammy Lincoln settled at the rear of the field.

Driver Harrison Orange still had plenty of horse power 400 metres from home but was caught in heavy traffic and by the time he worked clear and angled back down to the inside the bird - stablemate Lincoln Wave - had flown.

Green said the fact the three-year-old was able to rally late and close within 5.8 lengths of the winner for third, spoke volumes about his ability.

“He’s a really nice horse, who is going to win races quickly. He’ll be fine by Friday, hasn’t missed any work, and should be right in it.”

Spiritual Bliss evades the clerks of the courseAnd those on foot, including co-trainer Nathan DelanyShe trots off to the birdcage gateAnd is eventually caught, with the help of Trackside presenter Nicole SimsGreen believes another of Lincoln Farms’ favourites Spiritual Bliss ($2.90) can make amends in the sixth race on Friday after her eventful outing last week.

The mare was lucky not to sustain any injuries when a few hundred metres after the finish she ducked her head as Orange turned to return and flipped the cart, both falling to the track.

The crash crew removed her sulky and harness but Spiritual Bliss escaped, avoiding recapture for several minutes because she had no bridle on to help secure her.

Spiritual Bliss returned to the birdcage gate but, despite Trackside presenter Nicole Sims managing to wrap her arms around the mare’s neck she got loose again.

The mare was eventually corralled close by and after crash crew member Greg Shirley fitted a bridle she was led back to the barn.

“We got lucky - she wasn’t hurt at all,” Green said. “It could have been disastrous, galloping around with no bridle on.

“She took no harm from the incident and has trained on well this week.

“I think she’ll go well. If you analyse her run, they went down the back in 27.8 and she did well to finish on for fourth.”

Spiritual Bliss was officially clocked to pace her last 800 metres in 56.9, despite sitting parked.

Tyson ($6.50) gives Lincoln Farms a good second string in the race, Green declaring you simply had to put a line through last week’s fresh-up run when driver Maurice McKendry had to abort a move around the field when it became apparent the death wasn’t there for him.

In what could turn into another good night for Lincoln Farms, last week’s impressive debutant Lincoln Wave ($3) backs up in the third race, looking a distinct chance to make it a double.

“He’s drawn wide again (six) but he’s good enough to get the job done. It’s a bit more of a test for him but there are no cup horses in there and he’s a pretty nice horse.

“We’ve waited for both him and Sammy Lincoln because of their setbacks at two but it’s been worth it.”

Despite McKendry saying Lincoln Wave had no idea what he was doing yet he led most of the way to score by two and three-quarter lengths, with a few gears unused.

Green knows Double Parked and Princess Of Savoy have better creds than Johnny Lincoln ($6.50) in the $35,000 Metro Final but his tough win last week gives him some hope he can test the favoured pair.

Johnny Lincoln sat parked throughout last Friday, finding plenty of courage to outslug the pacemaking Amazing Captain.

“He’s awkwardly drawn again but he tries hard and, with a bit of luck and a good trip, he can get some of it.

“On paper, the whole team could do really well.”