The Night Fox the latest in Nate’s love affair with Vincent - and he’s working super

Ask co-trainer Nathan Delany why he bought well-tried six-year-old The Night Fox and he’ll give you a one word reply - Vincent.

The latest addition to the Lincoln Farms roster is by Delany’s favourite sire so who cares about his moderate three from 45 start record.

And Delany says the way the horse has been working since coming north from Stephen Doody’s stable at Palmerston North less than two weeks ago suggests he’ll be hard to beat in the third race at Cambridge on Wednesday night.

Delany had had his eyes on The Night Fox ($3.20, $1.35) long before his last-start win on the grass at Hawera, when he barrelled home to score a two and a quarter length win over Maria Kirilenko.

“I spoke to Stephen about him one night at Cambridge and I thought he was worth a try as I really like the Vincents.

“Ray (Green) reckons we’d have a barn full of Vincents if I had my way.”

Craig Sharpe … drives The Night Fox.Andrew Sharpe … on Dominus.It’s not surprising Delany has a soft spot for the stock of Vincent, who scored his 16th win in the 2017 Auckland Cup, his 19th and last start.

His first training win in August, 2023 was with Vincent mare Illustrious Arden, whom he then sold, and then along came Dreams Of Eric, a Vincent three-year-old who scored four wins before he too was sold overseas.

Delany has also since leased Marylynes Boy, who is also by, you guessed it, Vincent, making him Dream’s Of Eric’s little full brother.

Delany, who is racing The Night Fox himself, isn’t fazed by the fact the horse had not won for 11 months before Hawera, and in those 20 starts had managed only two placings.

“He won really well on the second day at Hawera and if he races anything like he’s training he’ll be hard to beat.

“He’s training super. He ran a 27.3 quarter during the week and I was just sitting on him.”

The Night Fox, who won an R35 to R37 event at Hawera, will be driven by the stable’s own Craig Sharpe in the amateur drivers’ race, which has an R35 to R44 rating band.

“We’ll see how Craig gets on with him. I’ll tell him to go forward, set an even tempo and cut him loose at the 600. I think he’s our best of the night.”

There could be some sibling rivarly in the race with Delany rating Dominus ($2.80, $1.30), driven by Andrew Sharpe, the logical danger.

Lincoln Maree ($8.50, $2.30) opens for the Lincoln Farms team in the first race, her form gradually on the improve.

“She’s finding her feet and was a bit unlucky at Taupo. She put in a few rough ones out of the gate - she was like that early in her prep and could just jump out of it - but she’s generally doing things right now.

“She trained well on Saturday and, with the right run, could run top three.”

Lincoln Lover rounds out the night for Lincoln Farms in the sixth race, where driver Peter Ferguson should secure a nice run from two on the gate.

Whether the Taupo winner can hold the lead is debatable with gate flyer Katies Pricess in four but Delany isn’t worried.

“I actually think he’s better coming off something’s back but I’ll leave it up to Fergie.

“Hopefully he’s improved since Taupo when Fergie drove him a treat in front.”

Lincoln Lover beat only maidens but showed plenty of fight to stave off all challengers.

The R40 to R45 opposition on Wednesday night looks considerably stronger but he has opened the $3.20 and $1.45 favourite.