
Debbie Lincoln clocks a record mile rate of 1:53.5 for a three-year-old over 1700m at Auckland. PHOTO: Megan Liefting/Race Images.
You’ve got it wrong, Green tells bookies of Debbie Lincoln’s $61 price for Nevele R Final
The bookies who priced Debbie Lincoln a $61 chance in Tuesday’s Nevele R Fillies’ Final haven’t done their homework, says co-trainer Ray Green.
Lincoln Farms’ filly might have a wide draw in the $200,000 Addington feature, but Green says that doesn’t necessarily mean she’ll go back off the gate.
“We might go forward. If you go back you get nothing. If they run their last quarter in 27 and you’re back, you’re no chance and we’re not here to just follow them around.
“I think she’s got the gate speed to be put into the race. You’ve got to be handy to beat the good ones and we don’t want to be stuck behind some of the others.”
Green says while Debbie Lincoln is the 11th favourite in the 14-horse field, she has been racing much better horses than many of her rivals.
In her last start, in a Metro Final at Auckland, Debbie Lincoln roared home from the back, running the outstanding closing sectionals of 55 and 26.4, by far the best in the race won by Double Parked.
Before that she was collared only late, after leading, by the up-and-coming Captain Sampson, clocking 1:54.4 for the mile.
But, easily her most impressive recent performance was three starts back when she showed a lot of courage to down Joyride over 1700 metres, clocking a mile rate of 1:53.5, the fastest ever run by a three-year-old of either sex, around Alexandra Park.
“She’s plenty good enough and shouldn’t be paying $61,” says Green.
“The one drawn two inside us, Arafura, looks the one to beat but Debbie is as good as anything in the race in my opinion, but then I’m biased.
“It’s not going to be easy but I’m hopeful. She’s done well down here and is in good shape.”
Green gave the Lather Up filly a sprint up around Ken Barron’s track on Saturday and says she was spot on.
“I didn’t time her - I don’t need to see how fast she can go - but she felt really good doing it. If she races as good as she can, I think she’ll be competitive with those good fillies.”
All going well, Green will stay in the south with Debbie Lincoln for the $225,000 NZ Oaks on November 21.
More news in Harness
Pole goes on The Night Fox - now he just needs a little luck from a niggly draw on Friday night
$10,000 weanling Johnny Lincoln surprises again with fifth win over white hot blue blood
Reformed filly Lincoln Linda strolls to easy win - and Ray says it won’t be her last
Over virus and with tighter hopples, Sammy only needs to bring his best behaviour to win
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them

Nathan’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: The Night Fox
6.20pm
“Harry said he’d have won for fun last time if he’d gone straight. We’ve put a pole on him, and he’s been a lot better, but from the inside of the second row on Friday night, over only 1700 metres, he’ll be looking for a bit of luck. if he gets half a run, he’ll be a good chance as he’s been training really well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.19pm
“He needed the run first-up and will need a couple more. He’s a bit high up in the grades and needs to drop a few points and get his fitness up.”
Race 7: Johnny Lincoln
8.09pm
“We’ll tell Fergie to go out again and see where he ends up. He’s a tough little horse and it won’t hurt him to have a look. I know it’s a tough race but we’re very happy with him and he’s an each-way chance and our best of the night.”

