Watching brief for baffled Ray who puts Tyson squarely in the green corner for Cambridge

He might be dropping in company but trainer Ray Green says he wouldn’t be rushing in to back Tyson at Cambridge on Friday night.

“He’s got me baffled at he moment so I want to see him go round again first,” says Green.

“He didn’t even go up to the gate last time at Auckland, which he did one day at the trials here.”

The Art Major colt, who struck trouble when the subject of a plunge on debut at Cambridge on July 5, was once again heavily backed in the two-year-old event at Alexandra Park on July 12 but never raised hopes.

Reluctant to score up, he was three lengths off the arm on dispatch, tailed the field throughout, paced roughly round the home turn and only battled up the straight to run last behind Always Be Misty and Turn O The Tide.

A shadow of the horse who beat that pair at the Pukekohe workouts in June, Tyson did little to impress driver Tony Herlihy.

“Tony said he’s got a lot to learn, so I’m putting it down to inexperience, but I know he’s a lot better than that.

“I’ve made a few minor gear changes including a different bit and, while it’s obviously a lot weaker bunch, he’s drawn out a bit and will need luck.”

Green says Lincoln La Moose is also a watch only in the sixth race from wide on the front line.

“We knew he was short of race fitness when he resumed and I think he’ll need another one.

“Seven is a tough draw even when you’re on your game.”

Lincoln La Moose, an impressive debut winner at Cambridge in March, was fresh off a two and a half month spell when he ran at Auckland on July 12, and after going back from his wide draw, was buried back on the fence and never in the hunt.

Commander Lincoln also returns to the scene of his sole win but Green isn’t too keen on his chances.

A battling fourth last time in an amateur event at Auckland, he switches to a junior drivers’ race but Green says Fergus Schumacher will have his work cut out.

“He’s an honest trooper - there are worse horses than him - but he needs a good trip and a lot of luck as he lacks a yard of speed.”