Sugar Ray Lincoln downs Blazing Louie, obscured, with Lincoln Wave (4) third. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
Sugar Ray signals start of good year ahead with tough win; blinkers for Lincoln Wave
By Barry Lichter • 23 May 2026
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green is predicting a good year ahead of Sugar Ray Lincoln after his come-from-behind win at Auckland on Friday night.
In a driving finish, Copy That’s little brother got the judge’s decision by a neck over the late-closing Blazing Louie, with his better fancied stablemate Lincoln Wave a nose away in third.
“He’s much stronger this time and I think he’s got a good year in front of him, he should make a bit of money.”
Green said Sugar Ray Lincoln had been a late maturer despite already being the winner of $115,145 from six wins and 11 placings.
“I’d hoped he’d be a derby horse but he’s only now come up in the withers and I suspect the best of him is yet to some.”
Green said he was pleased to see the four-year-old finally get a sweet trip on Friday night, after driver Peter Ferguson slotted him in three back in the running line.
“He’s been parked a few times lately doing all the donkey work, which is not ideal, but he’s still run on because he’s such a tough bugger. But he’s much better coming from behind.”
Having his sixth run in as many weeks, Sugar Ray Lincoln confirmed that when coming from near the tail of the eight-horse field round the home turn.
But Green, who trains with Nathan Delany, admitted he was surprised to see the horse go past Lincoln Wave near the finish after driver Maurice McKendry had given the warm favourite the one-one trail.
“Sugar Ray is probably fitter and tougher than Wave but I thought Wave should still have won. Maurice said he felt really good and swished past them easily then just nothing. He switched off as soon as he hit the front.
“He’s starting to get into the habit of doing that so we’ll put blinkers on him next time to get his attention better.”
Sugar Ray Lincoln cut out the mile in 1:54.9, much to the delight of owners John and Lynne Street, Green’s wife Debbie, Ian Middleton and Phil Cook.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Spirit Of God
5.44pm
“She’s definitely a chance as she has enough speed. The raw ability is there and I’m sure she’s as good as any of them ability wise. You can forget she went round at Auckland last week as she locked wheels 600 out.”
Race 1: Jessie Lincoln
5.44pm
“There’s not a lot between her and Spirit Of God. The other filly is probably a bit fitter than Jessie but she worked well today and I think she’ll be very competitive. It depends on what sort of run she gets (from eight).”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
7.39pm
“I can’t label her as a betting proposition from the draw, and in a tougher field, but you can never discount her as you know she’ll put herself in the race. You saw what she did last week - it doesn’t matter where she draws, she’ll launch.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Marylynes Boy
5.56pm
“Last week’s run was a non-event but he went well on debut. He’d have to be a shot, drawn the inside.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.57pm
“It’s a shame he hasn’t had more economical trips - he’s had some tough runs - and keeps going good races. He should go well again.”
Race 4: Lincoln Wave
6.57pm
“He burned himself out early in the derby. There was no race for him last week but he’s training well and should be right in it. His best races have been on the front end.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.56pm
“She’s got the draw and will lead out but she’s no match for Sammy Lincoln and looks better placed at Cambridge.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.56pm
“I think he’s turned the corner and can go on with the job. He will have gained a lot in confidence from last week’s win. We haven’t really tried him out of the gate but he’s a good horse who is improving all the time.”
Race 8: Prince Lincoln
8.56pm
“He pulled too hard when caught back on the markers last week. He’s got the same inside second row draw so we’ve taken the blinds off or he’d over-race again. When he draws a (good) gate we’ll put them back on again. Obviously he’s best on the front end.”
