Talented Frisco Bay trials like he’s ready to make waves at Auckland on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 28 August 2024
Trainer Ray Green is looking forward to seeing Frisco Bay back on the track on Friday night after a strong workout win at Pukekohe.
It’s been three months since the Downbytheseaside three-year-old last raced but, based on his prep run alone, he is sure to have plenty of support in the second race at Alexandra Park.
After leading out then trailing last Thursday, Nathan Delany eased out Frisco Bay 400 metres from home to tackle the Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained leader Hezasweetie (Zachary Butcher) and was strong to the post to score a one length win.
The gelding’s closing sectionals of 57.7 and 26.8 showed he had lost none of the speed which saw Green rate him potentially the best of his early season two-year-olds before a breathing issue thwarted his preparation.
When Frisco Bay started making a noise in his races and training runs it was discovered that two flaps were obstructing his airway and they were removed with relatively simple surgery.
It took several runs, however, and a few patient drives when Frisco Bay was allowed to gradually work into his races, before he learned his oxygen debt wouldn’t return.
Frisco Bay clocks a slick 2:40.9 winning at Cambridge in April. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.And last time in, Frisco Bay came into his own, competing in strong fields, running fast times, and bagging his maiden win on the Night Of Champions at Cambridge in April in 2:40.9.
Green, who bought Frisco Bay for just $9000 as a weanling, and now races him with Lincoln Farms’ owners John and Lynne Street, said the horse’s breathing isn’t an issue any more.
“His form just looks bad because he’d had enough at the end of his last prep, but he’d done a good job.
“Frisky could develop into a really nice horse and he’s only got to replicate his workout run to be a chance. He hasn’t got the race fitness of the others but I’m sure he’ll go a good race.”
Green said he couldn’t fault the recent performances of stablemate Obadiah Dragon, drawn alongside Frisco Bay in five.
“There’s not a lot between them. Whichever one gets the best trip will finish closest.
“He’s another who could develop into quite a nice horse.”
Obadiah Dragon continued his run of powerful finishes last week at Auckland, pipping stablemate Lincoln La Moose for fourth behind Upstage. His closing sectionals of 55.9 and 26.7 were the second fastest in the race.
Lincoln Farms’ third runner for the evening, Leo Lincoln in the fourth race, is also resuming from a spell.
“He had a good break and he looks great,” Green said. “He won’t be driven on any search and destroy mission. Maurice (McKendry) will find a nice spot for him and, based on his work and trial, he’ll go a good race.”
Leo Lincoln finished third of three in his Pukekohe heat last Thursday, matching Better Knuckle Up and Mhai Surfer Girl for speed in the run home.
“There are some good ones in the field who are race fit but he’s hardly ever missed a cheque.”
More news in Harness
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Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
