Ultimate gear change does the trick for brave little tradesman Lincoln Lover

Co-trainer Ray Green reckons he has a pretty good idea why Lincoln Lover’s form has improved in his last few starts.

At Cambridge on Wednesday night the little Bettor’s Delight gelding notched his second win this year, to go with two seconds, when he held off strong late challenges in the run home.

“Since we gelded him, he’s turned the corner,” Green said. “He was getting a bit rank as a colt.”

Now that he’s found winning form, Green expects Lincoln Lover to keep his foot on the till.

Co-trainer Nate Delany in the winner’s enclosure with Lincoln Lover and driver Peter Ferguson. PHOTO: Katie Steffert/Race Images.“He’s a nice horse who is getting stronger all the time. He’s not a big horse but he’s a trier and he’s good-gaited and does nothing wrong.”

Green liked the courage that Lincoln Lover showed in overhauling the pacemaking Katie’s Princess then staving off late bursts from Ragnar Lothbrok and Waltzing With Miki to score by a neck.

“It was a nice tradesman-like win, and he was brave enough, but it doesn’t mean we’ll be heading off to Auckland. The opposition might be a bit rich for him there.”

Instead, Green says Lincoln Lover might be seen at Lincoln Farms’ happy hunting ground Palmerston North with a number of double-headers coming up.

Still rated R45, Lincoln Lover has now earned $29,852 from 17 starts for owners John and Lynne Street, Paul Wyatt, Jason Deane and Brent Mulholland.