Watch this workout and you’ll see why Ray’s rapt to see Debbie back at Auckland on Friday

A stylish workout win nine days ago, against some hot opposition, confirmed what co-trainer Ray Green already knew - Debbie Lincoln is back!

The Lather Up filly showed all the speed and determination that was a hallmark of her early racing when she staved off two of Mark and Nathan Purdon’s rising stars - Kindergarten Stakes placegetter Special Occasion and Northern Derby runner-up Midnight Miki, both warm favourites in their Friday night resumptions.

And, while Debbie Lincoln ($6, $1.90) faces an even line-up in the fourth race, and has to contend with the outside barrier, Green is excited about the filly’s return after four months away from the track.

Debbie Lincoln looked right in contention for the Sires’ Stakes Fillies Final earlier in the year when she downed the talented Without You and Caduceus Classic winner Beetastic in a 1:55.9 mile rate at Auckland.

But Debbie never made the big race, her form tapering off in three subsequent starts when Green says she was struggling with a tying-up issue.

Debbie Lincoln downs Without You and Beetastic at Auckland in February. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.“Those last few starts just weren’t her. She’s much better than that. She’s holding up so far and her last trial was super and she’s trained on well, so it looks like she’s back.

“I’m expecting her to go a good race on Friday in what isn’t an overly daunting field. The only things that might stop her is her lack of race fitness and the bad draw.

“I can see how the draw could inconvenience her - I’m picking Maurice will go back - but, if she gets a half-decent trip, she could still roll that lot as she’s a classy filly. She’s good enough for those good fillies’ races coming up.”

Punters give Debbie Lincoln’s in-form stablemate Tyson a better chance on Friday, trimming his opening odds of $5.50 into $4.40, making him a solid second favourite.

And with Zachary Butcher jumping sulky seats to Two Jules, Peter Ferguson gets the chance to further his great recent record with Lincoln Farms’ runners.

Green says you can’t help but be impressed by the tough racing style of Tyson, who sat parked and absorbed plenty of pressure in his nose defeat by stablemate Sugar Ray Lincoln last week.

Sugar Ray Lincoln pips Tyson last week. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.No fancy odds

There are no fancy odds about Sugar Ray Lincoln ($5.50, $1.45) this week, in the sixth race, where he lands the pole alongside Midnight Miki a raging $1.50 favourite.

Sugar Ray may not have a reputation for getting off the gate but Green says on one of the few occasions he’s been asked to leave fast, he led and won.

“No doubt there are others who will have a dab at the front but, ideally, we want to stay handy.”

Green said he was relieved to see Sugar Ray finally live up to his earlier hype last week after treatment for a sore foot - “let’s hope he keeps it up now.”

Surprisingly, Kevin Kline ($19, $3) is unwanted in the betting in the same race, despite his usual great effort last week when third behind Always Flyin and Mantra Blue.

“He didn’t have the best trip last time. He was caught up dodging breakers at the start but he got home well (last quarter in 26.9) and was picking up Mantra Blue again close to home.

“It’s an even field but big Kev is always a danger. He’s such a nice horse. He never runs a bad race and he’s younger than most of the ones he’s racing.

“I rate him a derby horse and that’s the direction we’re pointing him in.”

There are plenty of lucrative odds on offer in the second race where the biggest two-year-old field of the season sees 11 runners.

Lincoln Lover only just succumbs to Allamericanplayer in March. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.Fergie opts for $101 shot

Green admits he was somewhat surprised when Fergie chose to drive Lincoln Lover ($101, $12) over last-start winner Johnny Lincoln ($14, $3.10).

“He’s drawn the inside of the second row so will need luck but Fergie thinks he has potential.”

While Lincoln Lover did not win in six starts with Ferguson in his initial campaign, he showed plenty, running subsequent Group One Welcome Stakes winner Allamericanplayer to a neck in March.

“He’s a very honest horse and wasn’t far away first-up behind Andretti.”

Lincoln Lover’s chances on Friday could swing on how well second favourite Nymbal gets out of the gate in front of him.

It’s hard to predict where Johnny Lincoln will end up too, drawn three on the second row, says Green.

“But if he gets a nice trip and can get a suck into it at the right time, he’ll be the one to beat. He has more experience than the others and has been racing older horses.”

The $20 on offer for Prince Lincoln also surprises Green.

“The six draw’s a bit ordinary, like all of ours, but hopefully one of the three will get lucky.

“He’s got a bit of speed and I think he’ll be pretty competitive. It didn’t surprise me that he went so well fresh-up - he’d been trialling and training really well.

“I thought it was a super effort given it was a small field and they only walked to the corner.”

Green said he liked the way Prince Lincoln really sprinted when asked, just running out of condition when pipped by Andretti.

“It’s a tricky race on Friday as there are a few unknown quantities but I think ours will go well.”

Green says he can’t label The Rascal ($18, $2.60) in the opening race but rates him a ‘runner’s chance’.

“It’s a slight step-up in class but the maiden he won was quite strong. He’s a very honest sort of dude, who’s sure to go another good race.”