Speedy Frisco Bay can kick-start good New Year’s Eve for Lincoln Farms on Tuesday

Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green takes a strong team of seven to Auckland on New Year’s Eve and, ironically, it’s one with the worst form whom he co-owns who could start the day on the right note.

Frisco Bay’s 089 form line and his outside draw won’t appeal to many punters in the second race on Tuesday but there’s nothing wrong with the way the three-year-old is racing.

Frisco Bay ($3.40) might have beaten only three home in Duchess Megxit’s Golden Gait Final a week ago but his closing sectionals of 56.2 and 27.2 were better than the winner’s, the fastest in the race, and he did it six and seven wide turning for home.

Before that, Frisco Bay attempted what Green says he simply can’t do, working three wide early to the death, then pressing on to lead, before tiring in the run home.

“If you put him in front or in the breeze he over-races. He needs a run where he can relax in behind - every time he’s got a two-hole trip he’s won.

“He’s a bit one-dimensional in that respect but he’s got a lot of speed and, if he’d drawn better, I’d have labelled him.”

Before being struck down with a virus on his southern campaign, Frisco Bay showed his blistering speed, gobbling up the leaders late to finish an unlucky third behind Renegade at Addington, his 26.84 final split one of the fastest of the night.

With the early scratchings of Lincoln La Moose and Mighty Flying Lou, Frisco Bay has only six rivals to run past on Tuesday.

Beautiful pacer Colonel Lincoln scores an easy win for Nathan Delany at Cambridge. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.One of his main rivals will be stablemate Colonel Lincoln ($4), who in the last fortnight has staged a brilliant comeback from a long, injury-enforced spell.

An excellent second first-up at Cambridge on December 19, the four-year-old was even better on Christmas Eve, junior driver Nathan Delany assuming control with a lap to run and powering away to score by four lengths in 2:42.

“He’s a beautiful horse, and a quality mover, who’s finally demonstrating his ability.

“He’s done a lot of work and has had a good, solid build-up so he’ll cop a bit of racing now and I don’t see why he won’t be in it again. But Frisky is a bit more seasoned, and definitely has more speed, so I’d rate him our best chance.”

Lincoln Farms has an embarrassment of riches also in the third race with Lincoln Lou, Debbie Lincoln and Kevin Kline.

“On paper, Lincoln Lou ($3.50) should be favourite,” says Green. “You can’t fault that last run in the Golden Gait and if he repeats that he’s the one to beat.”

Three wide with no cover from the 700, Lincoln Lou kept fighting bravely to be best of those behind impressive winner Chase Me.

“He seems to be back to where we had him before. He’s been incredibly unlucky in a lot of his races. We don’t need good luck, we’re just looking for no bad luck.”

Debbie Lincoln sprints clear to land a big plunge at Cambridge. PHOTO: Ange Bridson/Race Images.Big improver

Green rates Debbie Lincoln ($6) the big improver.

The filly was the medium of a big plunge when winning on Christmas Eve at Cambridge, when she showed gate speed to secure an early trail.

“I know this is a step-up in grade, and she’s drawn the outside, but I’ve got a feeling she could be up to it.

“Her driver, Maurice McKendry, is very enthusiastic about her and he’s no fool. He’s been happy every time he’s sat behind her.

“She keeps getting better and potentially could be a high class three-year-old filly. I’m quite excited about her.”

Green can’t see Kevin Kline ($15) beating his stablemates, despite running a good third behind Debbie Lincoln at Cambridge.

“I don’t think we’ll see the best of him until well into his three-year-old year. He’s a big, rangy, slow developing horse. We’ll race him on Tuesday then give him a bit of a break.”

Sugar Ray Lincoln ($3.40) has opened a solid second favourite in the fourth race, courtesy of his pole position.

“He won’t burn off any quick beginners but he showed he could hold his own from the inside when he won two starts back.

“He’s just got to do it without doing anything tricky. He can pace roughly, he’s not the complete package yet, but when the penny drops he’ll be a serious horse.”

Sugar Ray Lincoln, a brave third in Chase Me’s Golden Gait Final last start, showed his quality on December 6 when he overcame an early gallop to score in 2:40.9.

The Big Lebowski is obscured and full of running but had nowhere to go in the 2023 Auckland Cup. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.The Big Lebowski ($26) represents the stable in the $250,000 Auckland Cup but Green says he has no grandiose expectations, especially from the second line.

“He’s as good as he can be at the moment but these are the best horses in commission and we’ll be grateful for what we can get.”

Neither Green nor driver Zachary Butcher were disappointed with The Big Lebowski’s fifth behind Little Spike in the Christmas Cup at Cambridge on Christmas Eve.

“It’s hard to win those races from long back marks at Cambridge - Copy That had to go a New Zealand record to do it.”

The Big Lebowski would be suited by the 3200 metres on Tuesday, Green said, and would not be disgraced.

The Big Lebowski showed that when only 3.5 lengths behind Akuta in the 2023 Auckland Cup, denied room in the home stretch.