Tommy Lincoln powers home for a close last-start third behind Manila Playboy and Northview Hustler.
Tommy’s racing super and early fireworks likely at Albion Park on Saturday night
By Barry Lichter • 3 March 2023
Tommy Lincoln is racing right at the top of his game but his chances at Albion Park on Saturday night will hinge squarely on what happens in the first few hundred metres.
Two weeks ago, as a $51 outsider, Tommy overcame a second row draw to power up the sprint lane for a close third in a sizzling 1:52.59 mile rate for the 1660 metres.
This time he moves up to what appears to be a good front row draw over 2138 metres but, with fast beginner Rock Bottom drawn the pole, trainer Mark Dux says crossing to the front won’t be a given.
“It would be lovely if we could lead out then hand to Turn It Up. If we can get on his back we could run a good second, if not test him.
“But I’m not confident we can cross. Rock Bottom has good gate speed and we’ve had to sit outside him before.”
Dux knows it won’t be easy getting on top of Rock Bottom given he is a stablemate of Turn It Up but says Tommy will get nothing if you try to drag him back and he starts over-racing.
“So we’ll go forward and just play it by ear. He’s racing super so we’ll give him his chance.”
On the other hand, it will be steady-as-she-goes with Captain Nemo earlier in the night when he tackles a strong field in the third race as the lowest equal rated horse.
“This is a tough race for him and he’ll find it hard. I would have kept him for Tuesday instead but those races haven’t been getting off the ground.
“There are a couple in here that ran second and third in the free-for-all last week (Cardlesfromheaven and Star Galleria).”
Captain Nemo’s form has dropped right away in his last three starts but Dux says he’s had “a couple of average trips”.
“I reckon we’ll come out steady on him this week and let him do his own thing. He’s better driven that way.
“I’m happy with his work and, even though it’s a tough field, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran a good race.”
Captain Nemo races at 9.41pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Tommy Lincoln races at 12.45am at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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Dreams Of Eric goes from black and blue to blue and white, now for Harness 5000
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
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.”
