Tommy Lincoln is an outsider for the Interdominion series but will get his chance in the opening heat. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Tommy Lincoln draws perfectly for first round of Inters at Albion Park on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 28 November 2023
Lincoln Farms’ Tommy Lincoln will get his chance in the opening heat of the Interdominion Pacing Championship in Brisbane on Friday night after drawing perfectly in two.
Trainer Mark Dux had been hoping for a good front row draw in the opening round over 1660 metres, believing it is his best chance to score good points on the Albion Park track which favours on-pace runners.
He will meet series third favourite Rock N Roll Doo, who fared badly on the outside of the gate and former Kiwi Spirit Of St Louis who will also need luck from the inside of the second row.
Local champion and Grand Final favourite Leap To Fame drew four in the third pacer’s heat and, while New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Swayzee will leave from two in the fourth heat, he won’t be able to match the early speed of gate flyer Turn It Up in five.
The three favourites in the trotting series all look set to score good points with Ollivici drawn three in the opening heat, New Zealand-owned Queen Elida four in the second heat and Just Believe the pole in the third heat.
Pacing heats
Trotting heats
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Nathan’s comments
Thurday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Dreams Of Eric
6.03pm
“He’s just come back from a two-week break and seems a lot better after the freshen-up. He’s training really well but this will be like a trial for him. There looks to be a lot of speed in the race so, from five, he won’t be put into the early rush. We’re still aiming him at the Harness 5000 at Ashburton in December.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Kevin Kline
4.44pm
“He was held up last week but still got home really well, hard on their backs and, with the right trip, he’ll be dangerous. But the race looks suited to a horse like Hooray Henry who, in a small field, can sit back and outsprint them.
Race 9: Tyson
8.54pm
“We were looking to sit in with him last week but it didn’t work out. He still ran on pretty well as he always does. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Race 9: Debbie Lincoln
8.54pm
“Maurice was happy with her run last week and said she paced strongly through the line. From seven on the gate this week she’ll have to go back but I think she’s better coming from off the pace. She’s a good chance if she can get sucked into it at the right time.”
