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
By Barry Lichter • 10 November 2025
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.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Cambridge
Race 2: Johnny Lincoln
5.39pm
“He didn’t do anything at Auckland last start but seems to go better left-handed and placed at Cambridge in his only start there.”
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
5.39pm
“Her driver (Harrison Orange) said she would have won last start had that horse (Mr Miki) not stopped in her face. The winner was gone by the time she saw daylight. She will just need some luck from the second row draw.”
Race 2: Prince Lincoln
5.39pm
“He should have won last start at Auckland but we’ve taken the blinds off on Friday night and, in a weaker line-up, going left-handed, we’ll see how he goes.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.37pm
“I think the race will be won or lost soon after the start. It’s out of our control, we just have to hope she gets a run through and then I’m sure she’ll be hard to beat.”
Race 8: Lincoln Downs
8.40pm
“She’s got a little bit of lick but only has a short sprint, so timing is everything.”
Race 8: Lincoln Lover
8.40pm
“Being put in the race from the start last time obviously took a bit of the sting out of him. But at least there’s no chance that will happen this time from the second row. In his previous races he’d ducked for cover and got sucked along but he needs a decent tempo, he’s no sit-sprinter.”
