Watching brief for baffled Ray who puts Tyson squarely in the green corner for Cambridge
By Barry Lichter • 17 July 2024
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.”
More news in Harness
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Lincoln Linda best of the night at Cambridge - she has the engine to cross Soul Artist
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.44pm
“She did well here last time as she had to do a bit to get to the lead and she dug in and fought on. She’s certainly a chance if she repeats that effort.”
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
7.09pm
“I thought she went super last time after doing a lot of work. She can do that because she has an engine and is tough. She’s a bit one-dimensional - you have to turn her loose early - but from the two draw she should be able to lead and that’s where she does her best work.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.34pm
“I think he’s a bit stronger after his spell. It’s not a great field - most will die on that mark - and I don’t see a problem with the standing start as he’s nicely gaited. He could be marginally unfit after three months out but he’s done quite a bit of work and I can see him going a half-decent race.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.59pm
“She had every chance last time but I can’t see why she won’t go well again. She’s as honest as they come and tries like hell.”
Race 7: The Night Fox
8.29pm
“You’d think he’d lead easily from the inside. He’s had bad draws and still got the money, so I’m sure he’ll go another good race. I’m surprised they sold him so cheaply. He’s better than people think.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Wave
5.09pm
“With the trip he got in the Harness Million I thought he’d have run on a lot better. But he was still a bit short on fitness and sometimes we can expect too much of these horses, he was racing the best, after all. It’s a big drop in grade here and he’s a pretty fair horse.”
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.09pm
“He’s an honest sort who’s in a good space but he won’t get a wonderful trip from the outside of the gate this time so I’m not holding my breath.”
Race 3: Sammy Lincoln
6.04pm
“He’s training down well but you never know what he’s going to do. You think you’ve got him sorted and he does something silly. But we know if the real Sammy turned up, he’d be very hard to beat as he’s got a lot of speed.”
Race 5: Prince Lincoln
7.05pm
“He’s another where you don’t know which one will turn up but we’ve gelded him since his last run, so we’ll see if that helps. He trained well the other day.”
