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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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.”
