Top junior Angus Garrard reins Tommy Lincoln home last Saturday for his fifth win at Albion Park. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Yuk! Tommy right up against it from the outside but Al warns to watch the Hustler go
By Barry Lichter • 26 August 2021
Trainer Mark Dux has a word of warning for punters contemplating backing Tommy Lincoln at Albion Park on Saturday night.
“You’ll be taking your chances as there’s a good chance he’ll get a bad trip.”
While Tommy is the second lowest rated pacer in the field, he has been dealt the worst draw - on the outside of the gate.
That’s because the barriers were decided by the horses’ earnings in their last five starts - and Tommy has been slaying it in the last five weeks with three wins and a third.
It matters not that Tommy’s wins have been against a lesser class and that he’s a rating 98 horse compared with others who are ranked up to R119.
“It’s not really fair,” says Dux. “If they’d based it on ratings we’d have been laughing. (Tommy would have drawn two and been a definite contender in his favourite role on the front end.)
“We are right up against it from the draw because we don’t know where he’ll be (in the running).
“I’m sure he can’t lead from out there and if he ends up back in the field and they go slow, it will make it very tough for him.”
Dux welcomed news that Al Barnes is talking a big game with former Lincoln Farms’ flagbearer Northview Hustler, signalling he’ll be leading and running time.
“Will The Wizard (gate three) also has a lot of gate speed and could pressure Northview Hustler. I’d be happy to see Al go hard and park him - it would be better for Tommy and suit a lot of the others too, like Mach Da Vinci.
“This is a fair bit harder than the races Tommy has been winning but he is going well and there’s no reason why he won’t race well again.
“As long as Angus (Garrard) can find a bit of cover for him I wouldn’t write him off completely.”
Dux says despite racing on each of the last five Saturdays, and having some hard runs, Tommy is showing no sign of being tired.
Last Saturday he led, ripped a middle half in 55.3, and cruised home to beat Mach Da Vinci by 2.9 metres in a 1:54.9 mile rate for the 2138 metres.
“He’s actually doing pretty well, nowhere near over the top, but this will be a hard race for him so I might miss next Saturday and give him an easier week.”
Northview Hustler has benefitted from a good break and draws to lead on Saturday night. PHOTO: Dan Costello.Trained to the minute
Barnes, who bought Lincoln Farms out of Northview Hustler at the end of his last campaign when he was really struggling with ongoing fetlock joint and tendon problems, believes he has the veteran “trained to the minute”.
“He’s jumping out of his skin and will be very hard to beat,” Barnes said.
“When we injected his joints last Thursday it was the first time in two years that they’ve been clean. The vet was amazed at how good they were.
“He’s put on bulk and looks a million dollars.”
Barnes says with long time state champ Colt Thirty One past his best there’s an opening now for a new pacer to dominate the free-for-all ranks.
“I want to make a statement on Saturday and get a bit of respect back for the Hustler and show them he’s back.
“It will be a good race, there’ll be no walking.
“I hope they’re not upset when I park Tommy!”
* Waikato groupies Carl Officer and Stu Cappie retained a small share in Northview Hustler when he was sold in April.
Tommy Lincoln races at 8.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Saturday night.
More news in Harness
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Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
