Street’s emotion-charged night in the winners’ room - sad loss before a record four wins

How John Street managed to keep his emotions in check for so long was remarkable.

In what he described as akin to a dream, the wins at Alexandra Park racked up one after another, first Debbie Lincoln then Lincoln Lou.

But when Colonel Lincoln overcame a seemingly impossible trip to make it three, Street finally choked on the words in his victory speech, declaring there must have been a guiding hand from above.

“I lost my brother at 6 o’clock this morning and I think he’s up there … “ his words trailing away as he told how his brother Kevin had just died of a brain aneuryism.

Kevin Street, left, pictured just two weeks ago with Colonel Lincoln in the winner’s circle.Only the previous week Kevin, 83, and his wife Glenys had been at Alex Park to watch Colonel Lincoln, John Street having gifted them shares in the former $200,000 yearling.

“He loved coming here to see the horse race. In his last few hours he could hear but he couldn’t talk. I said Colonel Lincoln would win tomorrow night and he nodded.”

Street’s sister Bev said after battling colon cancer for two years, Kevin thankfully died peacefully within 24 hours.

An hour after Colonel Lincoln’s narrow triumph, Prince Lincoln took Lincoln Farms’ tally to four wins, in a stable five-horse whitewash, crediting John and Lynne Street with their most successful night’s racing in 40 years.

Colonel Lincoln staves off a big late burst from Roy Kent. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.“I didn’t think this could happen,” John Street said of the four-win tally which, because of its timing, saw more tears shed than after any of his Group I wins.

Street recalled how he’d chosen to give his brother a share in Colonel Lincoln, one of his favourites because of the smooth way he glided over the ground.

“We knew he was a nice horse but we had to wait,” said Street, referring to the two tendon injuries which set back the now five-year-old.

Tariner Ray Green, also enjoying his first four-win bag, along with his rookie training partner Nathan Delany, said Colonel Lincoln was finally performing like a horse with a high price tag.

Bev Street gives Colonel Lincoln a well done pat ,“Maurice (McKendry) was very impressed, he said the horse went super and, while he might not be a cups horse, he should get to cup class.”

You could have been forgiven for thinking some divine intervention also helped Lincoln Lou to his second win, appropriately in the Lincoln Farms Pace, the horse finally doing everything right after a frustrating run of outs.

“He’s much better than his form line suggests,” Green said. “He should have won half a dozen races by now. He’s been exceedingly unlucky, been knocked over, and had a few galloping episodes.”

While Lincoln Lou cost himself a win last week by pacing roughly early, only one misplaced step 150 metres from home tonight marred an otherwise flawless display.

Two of the partners in Lincoln Lou, ATC stewards Phil Kelly, left, and David Turner.Driver Andre Poutama said he hoped the experience would be a confidence booster for the three-year-old.

While Lincoln Lou had tried to motor off the gate he held him back early, before making a play for the lead, wanting him to do it under his own steam and gain confidence.

Green put the improved performance down to “having shut him right down” with ear plugs and a hood so he couldn’t hear anything.

The easier opposition also helped - “I couldn’t see how they could beat him tonight. He would have had to gallop for 100 metres.”

Lincoln Lou’s impeccable behaviour switch was also timely for one of his part-owners, Excell syndicate member Christine Stuart making it to the track after 10 days in hospital with acute blood poisoning.

Runner-up Lincoln Lover is almost obscured entirely by two-year-old winner Prince Lincoln. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Another loyal Lincoln Farms supporter, Lance Myocevich, had an even more incredible win with Prince Lincoln, having signed the two-year-old’s ownership papers only at the start of the night.

Commander retired

Myocevich, who brought his family along to see his new horse, had been a partner in Commander Lincoln, who fractured a pedal bone a couple of days earlier and has been retired.

Green said while only a battler, Commander Lincoln had done well to earn $26,730 from two wins, primarlily “poking around” in amateur races.

Lance Myocevich … enjoyed an immediate win with Prince Lincoln.“He’s not good enough to bring back for another campaign so when he recovers we’ll give him away as a riding horse.”

In Prince Lincoln, Myocevich, the Streets and their business manager Ian Middleton look to have a terrific replacement, the Always B Miki colt winning at just his second start.

Despite racing greenly in front and gawking at the winning post, Prince Lincoln fought bravely for driver Zachary Butcher, fighting off Lincoln Lover by a head.

Debbie Green … excited about the prospect of having an Oaks filly in Debbie Lincoln.Green was even more impressed by the win of Debbie Lincoln who led and staved off the hot favourite Without You by a head, clocking a mile rate of 1:55.9 for the 1700 metres.

“She’s a very good filly, good enough to go against the best ones. And she’s so tractable, she does what she has to, like a pro.

“Her future lies in the age group races.”

McKendry said he believed a race like the Oaks would suit Debbie Lincoln who was eye-balled before the home turn but was tough enough to sustain her run right to the post.

“She really tried and I didn’t have to knock her around, I just gave her a wee flick.”

Owner Debbie Green, who paid just $3000 for the Lather Up filly, said she was excited about the prospect of having an Oaks filly.

“I’ve never had one, I’ve always had colts. And to think she’s still as fat as a sausage.”