Worse draw puts unlucky Tyson in better spot to win at Auckland on Friday night

It might sound strange, but a wider draw than last week has boosted Tyson’s winning chance at Auckland on Friday night.

Lincoln Farms’ street-fighter will line up from five on the gate in the third race, and is the early second favourite at $3.90, few having missed his unlucky sixth in last week’s strong Metro Final.

After starting from one on the second row, and not being able to muster early, driver Maurice McKendry was trapped on the markers throughout and unable to find gaps for the horse in the run home. He finished under a tight hold, on the back of the winner Confederate.

“He was definitely beaten by the draw last week,” said co-trainer Ray Green. “He never got the chance to get out.

“From five this time he won’t get jammed up and can go forward and put himself in the race.”

Tyson, who has been racing consistently well throughout the last three months, regardless of having to do it hard, would then be in a position to test the courage of the favourite Princess Gracy ($2.05).

Green is also hoping Debbie Lincoln ($6.50, $1.50) gets a little more luck than last week when she went back from a wide draw and ran only eighth in the Nevele R fillies’ heat.

Debbie home in 55.1

But her run was much better than it looks on paper as she was held up in the home stretch and still reeled off easily the fastest last 800 metres of 55.1, four tenths of a second quicker than Im Sandra Dee (sixth), who shared the fastest 400 with her of 26.9.

“She went to the line under a hold. She’s right up there with the best of them but you’re no chance when you get back like that.”

Green said the Lather Up filly’s form would have read much better had she not been troubled by tying-up and a succession of bad draws.

“She hasn’t got a good draw again but it’s a small field and hopefully they won’t walk and only sprint home.”

Green is hoping Zachary Butcher lets the southern filly Joyride ($1.60) run along.

“She looks the one to beat - she’s been racing in better company.”

Sugar Ray Lincoln ($3.10) and Kevin Kline ($3.80) again look hard to beat in the sixth race after their solid placings last week.

“Sugar Ray has a tad more speed than Kevin, but he had to sit parked for the last 1200 metres last week. “You’d think he’ll get a good trip this time from the inside draw.

“And Kevin is as honest as they come. He’s a bit more genuine than Sugar Ray.”

Kevin Kline rocketed home from the rear on the home turn last Friday to pip Sugar Ray for second, clocking the second fastest closing sectionals of 56 and 28.1, and will be suited by another 500 metres this week.