Alexandra Park is set to become a ghost town on race nights.
Sorry team, drinks are off at the Park while coronavirus clampdown is in place
By Barry Lichter • 18 March 2020
Extreme measures adopted to restrict the spread of coronavirus mean Lincoln Farms won’t be able to extend the usual hospitality to our owners on race nights for the foreseeable future.
In case you weren’t aware, the governing bodies of all three racing codes, harness, thoroughbreds and greyhounds, yesterday announced that race meetings will be conducted as “closed doors” events starting today.
This followed the government’s decree banning gatherings of more than 500 people in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic which has seen 20 confirmed cases in New Zealand and the deaths of more than 7900 people worldwide.
The only people permitted to attend race meetings will be those jockeys and drivers competing, trainers with runners engaged, stable staff advised to the club and essential raceday personnel.
The restriction will be in place at least until April 13, and probably longer, but at this stage there are no plans to cancel meetings.
The unprecedented move is designed to protect the livelihoods of the 15,000 or more people who earn their living directly from the industry, and to ensure owners don’t suffer from the loss of stake money.
We’ll still be able to watch televised coverage of our runners - it just means Lincoln Farms’ office in the Alexandra Park birdcage will be out of action.
Good luck everyone, stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you again as soon as things return to normal.
John and Lynne Street.
More news in Harness
Omaha Lincoln long in the odds but he has enough toe to say he won’t be entirely beached
Watch Sammy Lincoln charge home and you’ll want to be on at Cambridge on Thursday night
Lincoln Wave scorches in, still on target for richer races and Sammy’s making progress too
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Omaha Lincoln
4.49pm
“He’s never been to Cambridge, and it’s his first time off the place, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go well - he’s certainly got enough speed to do the business. It’s guesswork trying to assess him against the others but I think he’ll do everything right so he’s a chance.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
6.51pm
“She is a bit one-dimensional - she’ll take charge of proceedings when the gate leaves. She could get parked but if she got a cheque I’d be happy.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.22pm
“He was taking ground off the winner last week and I don’t think the step up to 2700 will make much difference, he’s race fit now. He’ll do what he can do, he’s no champion, but he’s got the draw, he steps well and he won’t be far away.”
Race 7: Lincoln Wave
7.52pm
“The draw is awkward over the sprint distance at Cambridge but he’s absolutely capable of being right in the fray if he happened to get a good trip - he’s an improver every time he goes to the races. Not many of the others have run 1:54.”
Race 7: Sammy Lincoln
7.52pm
“I thought he did well to finish third last week after being parked out. The draw makes it very hard but he’s got real speed and if he dropped into it late, it wouldn’t surprise me if he got home really well.”
Race 10: Spiritual Bliss
9.24pm
“They’ll know they’ve been to the races if she gets any kind of trip. She was parked the whole way last time in 1:52 and wasn’t far off them. I don’t really want to see her parked again but you’d think Tytate would duck for cover knowing we’d say in front. She’s tough and reliable - she hasn’t gone a bad race since we’ve had her - and you know she’ll put herself in the race.”
Race 10: Another Cullect
9.24pm
“The outside is not a good draw for her but, if they go hard, it will suit her.”
