Tommy notches fifth win in Queensland and Mark says the top grade will hold no fears

Tommy Lincoln’s stylish win at Albion Park tonight convinced trainer Mark Dux that he will be more than competitive in the top grade in Brisbane.

For the fifth time in the two months since Tommy has been in Queensland, he made mincemeat of his rivals, winning in his favourite way, from the front.

Despite being caught three wide on the first bend from the outside gate, Tommy found a terrific sprint when launched by top junor Angus Garrard and came so fast leader Midnight Man had no option but to hand up.

And when he hit the after burners with a sizzling 55.3 middle half, only second favourite Mach Da Vinci could stay with him when he streaked clear turning for home.

At the line Tommy had 2.9 metres to spare on Mach Da Vinci, Dux even believing the horse started to switch off when he knew he had his rivals covered.

“After that fast middle half it was a really good run to still come home in 28.6.”

Tommy Lincoln has Mach Da Vinci well covered at Albion Park tonight.Tommy Lincoln paced the 2138 metres in a good mile rate of 1:54.9, taking his earnings in Queensland to A$41,063 from just eight starts.

“I’m still amazed someone hasn’t bought him,” said Dux. “Tommy’s got a bit of everything - he has gate speed, he can do a bit of work, and he wants to win. He just wants to get out there and race hard, he’s all racehorse.”

Dux is pretty sure the way Garrard was talking tonight, he’ll want to stay with the horse now that he’ll be boxing with the big boys.

With a rating of 98, Tommy is now in band two, meaning in all likelihood he will have to tackle the free-for-allers again next Saturday.

“You can never tell, sometimes you get a band two and three race, but it’s most likely to be a divided condition race against the top ones. But I think he’ll be a good competitive horse even in the top class.

“He’s going to have to take the step up but I can’t see why he won’t, they’re the same ones we raced last Saturday when he didn’t get much of a go.”

Dux says the barrier draws tend to determine where horses finish in the top grade, one week you’re out of it and the next from the front you’re right in contention.

“On a rating 98 he should be inside those other horses and from the front they wouldn’t beat him.”

The four-year-old American Ideal gelding’s career stats now read 37 starts, 13 wins and seven placings for $138,578 in stakes for Shannon and Brenda Flay, Ian, Kathy and Daniel Parkinson, Debbie Sparks, Ray Menzies, Denis Ebert, Ian Middleton and John and Lynne Street.