What you need to know about plunge horse Lincoln Cove: Do you follow your money?
By Barry Lichter • 19 March 2024
A trial at Pukekohe last Saturday explains why trainer Ray Green says his opinion is still “guarded” over plunge horse Lincoln Cove.
The Downbytheseaside debutant was surprisingly backed off the map on debut at Cambridge 12 days ago, his $21 opening price cut to $13 by scratchings, then hammered in to see him start a $2.20 favourite.
Things didn’t look good in the first lap when Lincoln Cove was forced to work three wide to the death, before landing a one-one sit.
But just when it seemed the horse would still deliver, driver Zachary Butcher easing out on the home turn, Lincoln Cove took fright when his deafeners were pulled, stumbled and galloped briefly.
And, worse, 50 metres later, just when he was again looking the likely winner, he copped a violent shunt, Butcher thrown forward in the cart, when a rival veered out sharply looking for a run, his driver later supended for three days.
Incredibly, Lincoln Cove still kept coming, attacking the line hard for second, beaten one and three-quarter lengths by Shez The One.
Bookies, who dodged a bullet, will be wary about letting anyone on at long odds this week but Green isn’t convinced the horse warrants such respect.
His caution was proven correct at the weekend trials when Lincoln Cove improved from the back to challenge leader Lincoln La Moose only to go into a wild gallop, taking so long to settle he was 14 lengths astern of his stablemate at the finish, albeit making up plenty of lost ground.
“He ranged up looking dangerous in the trial and for some inexplicable reason had a gallop,” Green said.
“I’d like to see him get round safely before I form an opinion of him as he certainly has a few tricks.
“Zac reckoned he would have gone straight on by at Cambridge had he not galloped but he didn’t look to lose much ground to me. And even though he got shunted a bit after that, again he didn’t lose too much momentum.
Lincoln La Moose … has taken time to strengthen. PHOTO: Trish Dunell.“While he would have the wood on Moose on ability, he could take a few runs to come right.”
Lincoln La Moose, who debuts after six workouts and five trials, three of them this prep, has taken time to strengthen, Green said.
“He’s a delicately built guy who took a little time to cope with the work.
“I think the ability is there and he looks to have strengthened a bit so he should go reasonably well from four on the gate.”
An Art Major colt out of Cullens Princess, Lincoln La Moose is a half-brother to six-race winner Miki Montana.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.55pm
“Frank drove a nice race on her last time, doing a bit of work early before leading and trailing, but I think the result might have been different if she’d led all the way. She has no speed, she’s better in front and rolling, so this week we’ll tell Frank to go forward and to not hand up and hopefully she can go one better.”
Race 4: The Night Fox
6.56pm
“He got KOed last time at Auckland but Harry said he felt like he could have won with a decent draw so we’ll just put that race behind us. I wouldn’t say this field is any harder. We’ve got a bad draw again but it depends on how the race pans out. I think he can still win.”
Race 6: Lincoln Lover
7.58pm
“He’s doing a good job, and he ran home well last time at Cambridge, but Leo Lincoln is definitely the pick of ours.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.58pm
“He’ll strip a lot fitter and I think he’s a good winning chance. He’s been racing open class horses and this is a huge drop back for him.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Lincoln Linda
5.06pm
“I’m not holding my breath. She beat a poor bunch at Cambridge and will have to step up here.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
5.45pm
“Given the right trip, she should finish off not too bad as she has a bit of speed but, after two runs back, she needs to improve.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s only little but she trialled super and got home in 2:00.6 mile rate. If she repeats that, she’ll be in the fray. It’s early days yet but she’s a nice, tractable filly who has drawn well in two and, based on that one trial, you’d have to give her a chance. Whether she improves off it, we’ll see.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.34pm
“I don’t think any of the others stand over her. She’s a tough mare who has trained on well. I’d love to see her in front, she’s proven that’s where she goes best, but whether she’ll get there from four is debatable. But I’m sure she’ll go another good race.”
