Tyson in the right form to deliver a knockout punch at Cambridge on Friday night
Bookies are taking no chances with Tyson at Cambridge on Friday night, opening him a $3.20 favourite despite the colt facing higher rated opposition.
But, as Lincoln Farms co-trainer Ray Green puts it, while there are a couple of tidy horses in the fifth race, Tyson’s form is superior.
In his last start, at Auckland on December 13, Tyson (R44) finished just half a neck and a length behind classy R60 pacers Chase Me and Youretheonethatiwant, the 1700 metres run in a 1:56.5 mile rate.
Tyson (Blair Orange) warming up for his last start when he ran a terrific third at Auckland.Parked for the last 1000 metres, Tyson was clocked over his final 800 in 55.9 and 400 in 27.9. With Chase Me just sold for big money to the Gary Hall stable in Perth, that form stacks up very nicely.
Tyson was also in great form in his previous run at Alexandra Park, pacing 2:41 for 2200 metres when three-quarters of a length second to talented stablemate Sugar Ray Lincoln, coming from second last and running easily the fastest last mile of 1:57.1.
Freshened since his last race a month ago, Tyson had a hit-out at the Pukekohe workouts last Friday, co-trainer Nathan Delany in the cart and liking the way he finished off the heat, albeit fifth of the five runners.
Last in the running, Tyson lost no ground on the winner, R59 pacer Always Flyin, who reeled off closing sectionals of 55.1 and 27.3 to clock an overall 2:33.9 for 2050m, a slick mile rate of 2:00.7.
Green said it was a good, fast workout, albeit on the newly resurfaced track which “is as good as any racetrack now.”
Top driver Zachary Butcher takes the reins on Friday night and Tyson leaves from gate three, from where he should get a nice run. The top two rated horses, Aye Aye Captain ($5.50) and Always B Stunning ($7) are drawn in the two outside alleys.
Onyx Shard, centre, has drawn to get a good trip in the last race.Butcher also drives Onyx Shard, whom Green rates a chance in the final race, the mare third equal favourite at $7.
After three runs in a new campaign, Onyx Shard is hard fit and, after leading, was gobbled up only in the last few strides in her last appearance on the course.
Drawn three, she should get every chance again unlike Lincoln La Moose ($14) who will need plenty of luck from gate five in the second race for junior drivers.
Delany takes the reins and will be looking to secure a better trip than the horse has had in his last two starts.
Lincoln La Moose was trapped three wide for the entire journey last start, yet still battled on well at the finish. And two starts back, he was caught at the back of the field on a slow speed, unable to make ground when the sprint when on.
“Hopefully he lobs and gets a good trip,” Green said. “If he does, he won’t be far away. If he’s left in the open, he over-races but, with a suck trip, he’ll come on at the finish.”
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Our runners this week
Saturday night at Albion Park
Argyle.
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln La Moose
5.43pm
“Drawn well, he should get a good trip and be the one to beat. He got held up at Cambridge last time and these amateur races are easier to win.”
Race 1: Commander Lincoln
5.43pm
“The form line doesn’t show it but he actually went ok last time, they just sprinted and left him flat-footed. He’ll go his usual honest race.”
Race 2: Angelic Copy
6.16pm
“She and Linda train and trial together and are much more forward than the others. She’s a proper little tradesman who can do whatever you want and she tries hard.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
6.16pm
“He’s not as forward as the fillies. He’s still learning and can do nothing but improve.”
Race 2: Lincoln Lover
6.16pm
“He’s another who will benefit from the experience but he’s by Bettor’s Delight and they tend to lift their game when the money’s up.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.16pm
“She has a bit of speed but is not as tractable as Linda - she doesn’t handle the corners quite as well and might be a little better left-handed. But she’s as good as any of them at the moment and, in the small field, should get her chance.”
Race 2: Lincoln Linda
6.16pm
“Though drawn the outside, she should really be the one to beat, based on her trial. She’s quite a strong filly, who is well gaited and should go forward. Maurice (McKendry) has driven her two or three times and he likes her.”
Race 4: Lincoln Lou
7.08pm
“He should be dangerous against what is not a wonderful bunch. He trialled well, a nose behind Lewey Maguire (home in 56.4). All three of mine are nice horses and should be right there.”
Race 4: Tyson
7.08pm
“He was laying in on the corners last time at Cambridge and it was just a sprint home. He needs to be driven a bit more aggressively - he’s gone his best races when he’s been put in the race. Remember he sat parked when third to Arna’s good one (Chase Me) in December. He can tough it.”
Race 4: Colonel Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s training down well, as good as you could expect. He’s done nothing wrong in three starts back. The outside draw is an inconvenience but, when he slots in, he won’t be far off them.”
Race 7: Kevin Kline
8.38pm
“He got held up last time and the winner got away on him. He should get a nice trip from one. He’ll go another honest race and will be in it for a while.”
Race 7: Debbie Lincoln
8.38pm
“She could be quite a nice filly. The way she’s developing I think she’ll be competitive against the better fillies later in the year. She’s quite versatile and can race tough. She has a lot of potential.”
Race 7: Frisco Bay
8.38pm
“He’d be on a par with Debbie for speed but he can get a bit carried away. Hopefully he can get a nice suck into it. I can’t fault the way they’re training and whichever of the two gets the best trip should win.”