Street tells how sharing the thrill with his brother and sister elevated the Colonel’s win

John Street has won more than 1000 races as an owner but few gave him as much of a thrill as Colonel Lincoln’s win at Auckland on Friday night.

The Studholme Bloodstock @ Christchurch Yearling Sale Pace didn’t have a rich stake or carry the prestige of some of the big cups he and his wife Lynne have won over the years but it saw him share the buzz of winning with his brother and sister.

Street gave his brother Kevin and sister Bev Glass a share in the Bettor’s Delight - Jessies Cullen colt after he paid a sale-topping $200,000 for him at the 2021 yearling sales, pledging they’d never have to pay a cent in training fees either.

FAMILY AFFAIR: John Street, right, and his brother Kevin shake hands as sister Bev, centre, greets Colonel Lincoln after the race.But their hopes of racing a topliner together fizzled out when in April, 2023 Colonel Lincoln showed signs of bowing a tendon.

Trainer Ray Green gave the horse six months off, during which time he was gelded and spent time on the water treadmill at Margaret Park in Matangi.

“He’d been back in work for only three weeks when the tendon in his other leg started to flare up,” Green said. “Luckily, we caught it in time before it got serious.”

After 21 months away from the track, Colonel Lincoln made it back last December and in four starts since has notched two wins and two seconds, his win on Friday night, in particular, hinting at bigger things to come.

Street was thrilled that his brother and sister were at the Park on Friday night to see their horse power home to a convincing win over stablemate Lincoln Lou.

While Bev had a share in his good galloper Justanexcuse, who won 10 races, and Kevin and his wife Glenis had a share in his classy but ill-fated Zabeel Classic winner Mikki Street, they had yet to experience the same highs in harness racing.

And that’s why he delighted in driver Maurice McKendry’s report on how strong the horse felt at the line.

Driver Maurice McKendry tells trainer Ray Green that Colonel Lincoln is going to stay like “a mother-in-law.”“He could have gone round again, he’ll stay like a mother-in-law,” McKendry said.

Green, too, believes Colonel Lincoln has the talent to make his mark in the higher grades.

“He always had a bit of class. He’s taken a bit of time, but it looks like he’s arrived and he’s really in the zone now.

“Time will tell us how far he’ll take us but he’s doing it with a bit of authority.

“And this time in he’s been perfect - I’ve almost forgotten it (his injuries) ever happened.”

Street, who said he’d always loved the beautiful-moving horse, applauded McKendry’s handling of Colonel Lincoln to win from the outside gate of eight.

After taking him back to last early, McKendry went on a long, sustained run round the field to park at the bell, taking a one-one sit soon after.

But his race-winning move came before the home turn when he jumped into the trail behind leader Messenger Buoy as Benson Dude dropped away.

Once clear, Colonel Lincoln dashed up the passing lane and sprinted clear, easily scoring in 2:42.2 for the 2200 metres as Lincoln Lou started pacing roughly near the finish.