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.
More news in Harness
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
OK Sammy, lightning bolts aside, Ray’s relying on you to do things right this time
Lincoln Dealer has the genes but not the barrier draw for Cambridge debut
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Colonel Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s come through his two runs well and we can be bolder with him from a front row draw.”
Race 2: Sugar Ray Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s in good shape and you can’t fault what he’s doing. I don’t think the (seven) draw should make a lot of difference - he’s been parked in his last two and still got money. You wouldn’t take a trifecta without putting him in.”
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.23pm
“He’s racing really well and just needs a bit of luck from the second row. He’s trained on well and should go well again. ”
Race 4: Rivergirl Bella
6.27pm
“She only has a little sprint but, if she doesn’t have to do too much, she can get home well.”
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.27pm
“She’ll win a race or two, and will get one soon as she’s honest, but she’s still very green. And to be fair to her, she hasn’t had a decent enough run where you can really judge her yet.”
Race 8: Lincoln Wave
8.38pm
“Based on the draws, Sammy looks a better chance than Lincoln Wave. Not many win from out there, especially in a Group I race. But I suppose he had a similar draw at Cambridge (six) and got lucky (squeezing into the trail when Nymbal broke) so you never know what can happen. It won’t be easy for him but it would be nice to see him get a good trip as I think he’ll handle the 2700 metres as well as the others.”
Race 8: Sammy Lincoln
8.38pm
“If he can hold up, that would be marvellous as if anything can give Jumal a fright, it’s him. I know he’s still a maiden but he’s better than most of them ability-wise. He’s a classy big bugger who is very fast and if he ends up on Jumal’s back he’d be dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the fray as he has such a lot of ability.”
Rac e 10: Prince Lincoln
9.37pm
“If the real Prince Lincoln turned up he’d be in the money, but you never know with him.”
