Prestige Stride, second from right, contests a packed finish to the Delightful Lady Classic at Alexandra Park.
We’re the only game in town so don’t lie down over coronavirus, go after those betting dollars
By Barry Lichter • 18 March 2020
“Racing is the only game in town so why aren’t we promoting it?”
Lincoln Farms’ trainer Ray Green says while it’s inevitable that the coronavirus pandemic will bite into racing’s coffers, as the public are banned from going on course and more and more sporting events are cancelled, he also sees a golden opportunity for racing.
“Racing’s bosses should be all over this. People can’t bet on rugby or basketball or cricket or lots of other sports they usually follow but we’re still racing.”
Directives from the three racing codes yesterday outlined extraordinary measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, including restricting access to race meetings to only essential staff.
But just because there won’t be betting terminals open on course, Green says that doesn’t mean the industry can’t aggressively seek turnover through TABs and online.
Meanwhile, Green is battling another much more mild form of virus as several of his team at Pukekohe succumb to the annual change-of-season bugs.
“It happens a lot when the seasons change and the yearlings come home from the sales - they’re like school kids bringing colds home.
“I had to pull Tommy Lincoln out this week as he’s got a bit of a snotty nose and a few of the others have got it as well.
“But they’ll come right quickly.”
Green has just two runners at Auckland on Friday night, Man Of Action in race two and Prestige Stride in the last.
Man Of Action drops significantly in grade, from Northern Derby company to a rating 53 to 57 event, and even from gate five he should be in the money.
“The derby is a different class altogether and he will find this way easier. He’s a horse on the improve and I just hope he gets a good trip - I wouldn’t want to see him parked.”
Prestige Stride is travelling nicely for David Butcher in the one-one with a lap to run.Prestige Stride has only four rivals in the Sires’ Sakes fillies’ heat and brings an excellent last-start third in the Young Guns Final/Delightful Lady Classic to the table.
Prestige Stride missed third by a nose in a desperately close finish, right in the fight until She’s No Lady bloused her rivals late.
“She’s a lovely filly who tries like hell and I think she’s going to be a tidy racehorse.
“She does everything right and if she can get another cheque on Friday night, I’ll be happy.”
More news in Harness
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After 40 years in the sulky, Fergie’s just loving his renaissance in the lincoln green silks
Big-spending Mike Tanev snares The Rascal and he’s off to Canada next week
Dreams Of Eric goes from black and blue to blue and white, now for Harness 5000
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Tyson
6.59pm
“He was tough again in winning last week. He’s trained on well, is in good shape, and should be right in it.”
Race 4: Sugar Ray Lincoln
6.59pm
“He’s finally getting his act together - he’s gone three good races in a row - and seemingly turned the corner. We’ve had a lot of (vet) work done on him, his feet in particular, and it’s paid off. There’s not much between him and Tyson.”
Race 5: Rivergirl Bella
7.23pm
“She’ll need everything to go her way from the draw. But she’s got a bit of speed. She’s getting there. She wasn’t very strong before and wasn’t tracking too well, but she’s driving right now.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.23pm
“She’s had a few issues, mostly mental ones, and is still a bit of a handful. It wasn’t very pretty last week but we’re slowly getting her under control. The outside draw might actually help her.”
Race 5: Angelic Copy
7.23pm
“She needs only a half decent trip to feature. She got held up a little bit in the straight at a crucial time last week and that was that.”
Race 6: Prince Lincoln
7.49pm
“He’s drawn the best of ours in three. He got cheated for a run last week. It’s hard to know where he’d have finished without that.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.49pm
“Ferg reckoned if he’d been able to hold up in the trail last week he would have won. He was very bullish about how he’d gone. The draw’s no help but he can do a bit of work. He’s an honest little guy who saves his best for when the money’s up on racenight.”
Race 6: Johnny Lincoln
7.49pm
“He got a bit keen last week but he should be a lot better this time. He’s still learning and he’s a slow learner. When he does things correctly he’s a pretty nice horse. Hopefully he can get a suck into it from the second row draw.”
