Tommy’s chance to show what he’s got against strong opposition at Redcliffe on Saturday
By Barry Lichter • 18 March 2022
Trainer Mark Dux expects Tommy Lincoln to be right in the fight despite tackling a strong line-up at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
Dux takes Lincoln Farms’ tough campaigner back to the tight north-east Brisbane circuit after his sterling first-up fourth last week.
“I was over the moon with his run last week,” Dux said.
“He ran a 27.52 last quarter (second fastest) and was four wide all the way round the bend. That made it very hard for him to run them down.”
This week Tommy moves from the second row to be perfectly slotted at two on the gate for driver Angus Garrard.
“I think he’ll probably lead from there and if he gets it a little bit steady at some stage he’ll be hard to beat.”
Dux says he expects pole runner Ohoka Chopper to hand up, just like he did to hotpot Deus Ex last week.
“He may have to do a bit to hold the lead, he could cop a bit of pressure from Will The Wizard and Ideal World, who both have gate speed, but I don’t think they’ll cross him.
“As long he doesn’t get absolutely smashed in the lead there’s no reason why he can’t win.
“He can handle a bit of pressure but too much and it might leave him vulnerable the last bit.”
With Deus Ex buried on the inside of the second row on Saturday night, L L Cool J also on the second line and Speech Is Silver drawn the outside of the arm, Tommy Lincoln would have his chance to show what he’s got.
“It’s a strong field but he’s up to the task.”
Mark Dux brings back Captain Nemo after his all-the-way win at Redcliffe last Saturday night.Stablemate Captain Nemo (race 2) steps up in grade on the company he beat last week and Dux finds the race quite tricky to read.
“There looks to be a lot of pressure in the race and I’m not sure where he’s going to be. We may well end up having to go back and poke along.
“Pacific Drums can really run the gate and if they light him up it could really be on for the first furlong. The harder they go, the better it will suit us. I hope they go like lunatics.”
Dux says he’s not too worried where Nemo lands - from three he could put himself on the pace so long as it’s not too hectic
“It will all come down to tempo.”
Where Nemo didn’t want to be was back on a slow speed.
“These horses regularly run time for their last sectionals so if you’re back and wide, especially at Redcliffe, you’re no hope.
“It will just come down to luck in the running.
“I’m really happy with both horses - they’ve done well during the week.”
Tommy Lincoln races at 8.40pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
Captain Nemo races at 9.10pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Saturday night.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
