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
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
Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
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.”
