Smart workout shows Prince Lincoln’s ready to test the Blue Army at Auckland on Friday

He may not have the firepower to match the two heavily-fancied Purdon runners but co-trainer Ray Green is looking forward to seeing Prince Lincoln back on the track on Friday night.

Prince Lincoln ($12) will start a long-priced third favourite in the Lincoln Farms Pace behind Mark and Nathan Purdon’s Andretti ($1.75) and Alecto ($2) but Green is expecting a good run despite it being his first start for nearly four months.

“He’s a lovely horse who been training really well and he won his recent workout in good time.”

Green liked the way the Always B Miki colt swept past the well regarded Purdon-Phelan Confederate in his August 5 hitout, spritning home in 27.4 to score by three-quarters of a length in a 2:03 mile rate for the 2050 metres at Pukekohe.

“He has a bit more lick than our other runner Lincoln Lover and he should go well this time in.”

Prince Lincoln pips Lincoln Lover in his February win. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Green said Prince Lincoln showed plenty of ability, winning the second of his first six starts in February and he had developed well during a break.

“He’s grown up quite a bit and got quite tall. It’s hard for them when they’re racing and trying to grow at the same time but he rarely went a bad race.

“He’s a nice, reliable horse but how far he takes us we’ll have to wait and see.”

Green said while Lincoln Lover ($61) trialled well and was as honest as they came, he would need a run or two to tighten him up.

“He hasn’t raced for a while and is a little fat guy.”

Green is expecting another good run in the second race from The Rascal ($3.50) who boasts three consecutive seconds.

With the advantage of the pole over the favourite The Night Agent, Green said The Rascal should get every chance, unlike last time when parked for a lot of the way.

“He still struggles on the corners going full out. He’s OK when they’re tootling along but when they sprint, he finds it difficult.

“The drivers just have to nurse him and, driven like that, he should be hard to beat.”

The ability to begin smartly should see Kevin Kline ($4.60) and Leo Lincoln ($6.50) right in the action in the fourth race, both on the receiving end of a 20 metre start from the favourite Mantra Blue.

“She’s a good mare but only fell in last time and she could be vulnerable from the 30 metre handicap.

“Kevin never had a chance to get any money last time, when caught four back on the pegs - it was just one of those races.

“But he hit the line well and I’m pretty sure he’ll go well again.

“And Fergie knows how to drive Leo Lincoln. He knows if he’s on the fence he doesn’t put a foot wrong, it’s only when he gets out wide that he can mix it up.”

Leo Lincoln clocked a swift 2:39.9 in beating You Little Beauty in the Metro Pacers’ Final three weeks ago, courtesy of a perfect Peter Ferguson drive.

Crucial gear changes

Green is confident Tyson ($14) will go better in the opening race with two crucial gear changes.

Tyson hung badly all the way last time without a boring pole but that will be back on this week.

“And we’ve taken off his overcheck. He seemed to resent that. I trained him yesterday and he went really well.”

Problem child Sugar Ray Lincoln ($14) will have a kicking strap on after his performace last week when late scratched just before the start.

The course vet ordered the horse scratched after he kicked his cart, taking some skin off a hind leg.

“Fergie had to do an adjustment on the cart and the horse got fractious and just kicked out. I think he would have gone well but their policy is to scratch them if there’s any sign of blood.

“He’s certainly hard work but he trained well this week - he didn’t put a foot wrong and paced well.”