On-pace runners dominate at Redcliffe, 36km north of Brisbane.
Tommy shipwrecked by terrible barrier draw at Redcliffe on Friday night
By Barry Lichter • 16 June 2022
Any chance Tommy Lincoln had at Redcliffe on Friday night disappeared with the barrier draw.
Stranded at five on the second line over the 2280 metre sprint, trainer Mark Dux knows he has almost no chance of featuring in the A$31,000 Group III Patron’s Purse for four and five-year-olds.
“A draw like that kills you, especially at Redcliffe,” Dux said. “It’s a good field and he’s got a bad draw.
“I’ve got no option but to drive him cold. I’ll try to take short cuts, hope he can get splits and get the best cheque we can, but we won’t get much.”
Back-runners have virtually no chance on the tight, triangular Redcliffe track.Dux is wondering what he did to offend the racing gods - all four of his runners on Wednesday night drew terribly - and while he philosophically says “we have to play the cards we’re dealt” he knows Tommy has almost no show on the tight and turning circuit.
“Captain Crusader will lead from one and if there isn’t enough pressure he’ll run a 55 half. If you’re not in the first three or four in the running, you’re out of play.”
About his only chance, says Dux, is if the leaders go silly and walk home, but that rarely happens in Queensland.
The race-wrecking draw is all the more frustrating because Dux says he’s really happy with Tommy.
“I was happy with his last run and he’s done terrific since.”
Having his first standing start for 17 months, Tommy was a bit out of practice, galloping away.
“He just took a backward step when they said go. But I was pleased with him afterwards. He put in a funny step halfway round the bend - he was hanging a bit - but he felt strong all the way.”
Tommy battled away for fourth behind Captain Crusader at the finish of the 2647 metres, clocking very respectable closing sectionals of 54.8 and 26.99.
“He can go with the best of them but it’s so hard when you draw badly. It’s going to be hard finding the right race for him in the next month or so and I’ll be happy if he can race in the B divisions rather than against the best.”
Meanwhile, Dux is hoping to get a race for Captain Nemo next Tuesday after his event didn’t get off the ground last week.
“I was going to trial him last Tuesday but he was a bit off colour the day before so I didn’t run.”
Tommy Lincoln races at 9.45pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Friday night.
More news in Harness
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Ray: Copy Ten Four will go better left-handed at Cambridge on Thursday night. Roger that.
Ray: Omaha Lincoln still improving and can feature again in Friday’s Sires’ Stakes heat
Speedy Prince Lincoln and stablemates Maree and Missy fly out to New York on Sunday
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Copy Ten Four
6.19pm
“He’s better going left-handed and he only has to get round safely to be right in the fray. He’s no champion but he’s not a bad horse.”
Race 3: Rivergirl Bella
7.09pm
“She should lead easily and be the one to beat. She was desperately unlucky last time and she’s in good shape.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.59pm
“He goes much better the Cambridge way round and, while he’s at the mercy of what they do in front of him, he just needs to see a bit of daylight to be right in it.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Rivergirl Maggie
6.07pm
“It’s her first time at the Park, so you have to take that into consideration, but she’s a little trier and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her go close. She wasn’t strong enough early to go on with but she’s strengthened up now.”
Race 5: Sammy Lincoln
7.10pm
“He’s as good as anything in the field on ability and he’s in the zone at the moment. All he needs is a trip and he’s better drawn in three this time so should go well.”
