The new harness racing season is upon us, with all horses having their official birthdays, turning a year older on the 1st of August 2016.
In retrospect the 2015/16 season was a success for Lincoln Farms Bloodstock, standard breeds, as we look back on what was achieved, we had 27 individual winners, 33 second and 22 third placings in the Ray Green colours. We can add to this number with a win and several placings with our trotter Angus Fogg now with the Derek Balle stable.
Our partnerships once again were to the fore, we introduced new people to the industry and were able to reward most participants with a winning experience.
We were fortunate to sell several of our older performing horses to Australia, which benefited both Lincoln Farms and our partners, who were involved.
The new season has started and already we have had 2 winners and a 3rd place getter at Cambridge out of 4 runners, so we are batting over 50% and looking for more.
The exciting issue for our team is that Lincoln Farms have transformed their racing stock to mainly young, well bred horses, having 34 fillies, colts and geldings entering their 2 and 3 year old seasons, mostly unraced, with only 5 of our 3 year olds having previously started their racing careers.
This means that Lincoln Farms young racing stock have been given time to grow, are well educated and should be ready to show that they were worth the investment of time and attention, they have received.
The 2016/17 Season should be the pinnacle of a plan that John & Lynne Street and Ray Green our trainer have worked toward over the past two years, limiting breeding, while purchasing young, well bred, athletic animals, that can compete at the highest level.
Youngsters at the Track- Pukekohe.
Sir Lincoln Progeny
Everyone at Lincoln Farms, have eagerly await the new season, as the time has come to finally see our wonderful NZ Bred stallion, Sir Lincoln, progeny on the race track.
They are now 2 year olds and some of the early developers will be aimed at the Young Guns and Sales Series, with warm up racing in August/September and heats starting in October.
Lincoln Farms have 7 x 2 year old colts and 5 x 2 year old fillies sired by Sir Lincoln in our barn at Pukekohe. As a general consensus he has left big, strong, athletic type horses in his first crop, this was endorsed by the fact that a Sir Lincoln colt won the recent best turned out colt at this year’s Yearling Parade at Pukekohe 2 weeks ago.
We have also had feedback from trainers, Cran Dalgety and Bruce Negus in the South that they have outstanding Sir Lincoln 2 year olds that are already running exceptional times.
This is not hard to imagine as he was a magnificent racehorse in his own right beating the best in New Zealand on numerous occasions, while showing his toughness, later in his career when victorious on deteriorating limbs.
The mighty Sir Lincoln.
An update on the racing team.
Older Horses.
Besotted by American Ideal
Was sent to Western Australia in 2016, to race in partnership with Gary Hall Snr., where he had one start for a solid third placing, during which time he bleed internally and had to be rested.
He has had a long lay-off, in an attempt to get him back to the track. During his slow comeback, he had a reoccurring suspensory ligament problem which is being evaluated, it is unclear but it is likely that he will be retired from racing.
This would be a sad occasion as he had a very proud record of 15 wins and 24 minors placings from his 59 starts which included wins in the Sires Stakes, Harness Jewels, Auckland Cup and Taylor Mile, to name a few.
Besotted winning at The Park.
Angus Fogg by Angus Hall
Is at Derek Balle’s Stables and has been having a well-earned break after a productive first season of racing, where he had 1 win and 7 minor placings from 15 race day starts.
Angus is back in work after his break he has filled out and looks a stronger horse this time in, he is currently doing pace work and will be 2 weeks away from the workouts.
Derek tells me that he will likely need two workouts in preparation to race around the end of the month, he is happy with the way Angus is going.
Reine Des Gitan by Love You
Our nice 5 year old trotting mare had a very busy 2015/16 season starting 24 times for 3 wins and 11 minor placings, she was a type that just improved with racing even though she was a little green to start with, Reine showed she has heart and will be back after a break to see if she can strengthen up.
She is a gutsy little mare who ran a great 3rd in the Jewels beating several very accomplished trotters while showing on her day she can be hard to run down.
Strike the Gold by Bettors Delight
Strike has been in work for over a month and is now doing fast work, running quarters in 27 + which is excellent at this stage of his comeback. Ray wishes to take a little longer than normal to get him back, as he will start racing again as a C3 pacer having won 4 races, one being penalty free as a 2 year old. At this stage Ray is predicting Strike will be at the workouts within 3 weeks and the races soon thereafter, perhaps a month away from featuring at Alexandra Park.
Strike the Gold due to race early in the season.
4 year Olds
Awesome Dude by Modern Art
Dude started out on the right note winning his first start while travelling wide throughout a race at Cambridge but still had enough to rush home over the top of the opposition.
From just 5 starts in his maiden season he had a win and placing, then he came out and ran third to his stablemate last start at Cambridge. Not a star but capable of winning his share.
Habibti Sadie by Pegasus Spur
This well-bred trotting filly has been given time to develop, she has been a little frustrating as her dam has left 6 other trotters all have been multiple winners including the stakes winning Habibti, who won on both sides of the Tasman. Her mother’s best season was as a 7 year old so we have sent Sadie to Derek Balle’s stable for continued development.
She has ability but also a few growing issues she has to work through.
Killer Queen by RockNroll Heaven
Has shown she is close to her old form at the workouts the past two weeks, and has improved with each run. She will line up at Alexandra Park on Friday evening and will be very competitive, her owners hope she starts the same way as she did, early last season. She was productive with 21 starts for 3 wins and 7 minor placings for $57,450 in stakes earnings.
Queen returns to the stable after a victory, while the trainer critiques the drive.
King of Rock by Love You
This fine trotting gelding, a very athletic horse who has bulked up nicely following his recovery from a leg operation last season. Looks great and working well but unfortunately he prefers the pacing gait so Ray will try a few old tricks to determine his future. A full brother to You Rock and a half to other multiple winning horses, he is bred to be a star.
Like A Hurricane by Mach Three
This classy gelding who needed time in the paddock after developing early tendonitis, while Ray continues the challenge of smoothing out his gait however he has done well during his first full season on the track with 2 wins, a 2nd and a 3rd placing from just 9 starts. Hurricane has good speed and showed by winning a 2200 meter race in 2.41 and change at Alexandra Park that he is capable of winning his share of races for his thoroughbred racing owners.
Lincoln’s Keepsake by RocknRoll Hanover
A well bred mare a half to Sir Lincoln, Lincoln’s Megastar and Superstar who has shown she has ability in her first season on the track where she won 2 races and a 2nd placing from just 9 starts, she then came out and won her first start of the new season. Keepsake has some ability; we hope she will keep improving through 2016/17 as she rises in grade.
Perfect Storm by American Ideal
A tough little gelding and a full brother of Besotted. He had a good start to his racing career last season with 9 starts for 2 wins and 5 minor placings for stakes of $30k, he was very consistent and Ray feels Storm will continue and be competitive at Alexandra Park on Friday evening even from his second row draw.
He has good speed and a big heart.
Storm, being perfect for his owners.
Thephantomtollbooth by Real Desire
A speedy gelding, this talented big boy has had time out to let him grow into his big frame, he put on good conditioning and came back with a very impressive first up win at Cambridge on the 4th of August. His limited time on the track last season earned him 2 minor placings from just three starts.
Hard to forget his name, so watch for him this season, he may be the star of the movie he was named after.
Zach Maquire by Bettors Delight
Our nice tidy colt had his share of issues last season and was severely setback with a virus which affected his racing more than any of our other horses in the Pukekohe barn.
Even with that he still won 3 races and 9 minor placings from his 25 starts during the season. Zach finished off the season with 2 very impressive wins and may well have a hat trick of wins when he starts at Alexandra Park on Friday evening.
3 Year Olds.
Most of Lincoln Farms 3 year olds are unraced, so this season will be proof of their ability to compete and cope with the pressure of racing. Some needed time to grow being late developers, others indicated they needed time during their first preparation before or after qualifying to race. Regardless Lincoln Farms have a group of well-bred, athletic 3 year olds who will hit the racetracks this season in the bottle green colours.
Alta Intrigue by Mach Three
A very speedy colt that won his first start but then had some lameness issues where it was found he had a few minor chip issues that seemed to bother him, nothing structural so on Vets advice these will now be removed on the 15th of this month. His limited starts as a 2 year old saw him win 2 with 3 minor placings from just 6 starts, accumulating almost $30k in doing so. He is a horse with a lot of natural ability so his clean-up surgery will make him a happier horse and a threat in the big 3 year old races ahead.
Alta Intrigue leads Spring Campaign onto the track.
Amaro by Badlands Hannover
A slow growing colt that is back in work during his first preparation he showed that he was a nice tidy little pacer who would benefit from time.
Ray feels he will be stronger this time in, will likely be a late qualifier as a 3 year old. Unraced.
Another Bute by Badlands Hanover
A full brother to Badlands Bute, a colt which needed time, he is still in the paddock and will likely start jogging around the end of the month, didn’t offer much during his first preparation. Unraced.
Blind Faith by American Ideal
A beautifully bred gelding that just needed time, he is currently in work jogging at this stage but will likely need another preparation to get him to the race track. He is still growing and will benefit from a slow introduction to racing, one to watch for the future. Unraced.
Lincoln Hannover by RockNroll Hanover
Has been gelded is a nice type who has been jogging for 2 weeks, he is a good looking big horse who Ray expects will show us some ability this time in.
He started light work, jogging will see how he progresses; step up work rate in 2 weeks. Unraced.
Lincoln Lady by Somebeachsomewhere
A very well bred filly who needed time to develop, she is with Derek Balle stables, he reports that she is back in work, is about 2 weeks away from the workouts, will likely need two before she races around the end of the month. Lady qualified to race in a nice time during her first preparation, so being by the “super sire” we are looking forward to see her start her racing career. Unraced.
Lincoln’s Delight by American Ideal
A very nice filly that has above average ability, one who needed time but is showing up on the track now with good speed and a nice gait. Ray will step up her work and aim for a qualifying trial around the end of the month. A filly to watch this season. Unraced.
Lincoln’s Superstar by Mach Three
This smart filly, a full sister to Lincoln’s Megastar and Sir Lincoln and half-sister to Lincoln’s Keepsake, she had a good start to racing thrown in at the deep end as a 2 year old she competed in most of the stakes races and performed extremely well against the more seasoned fillies. She had 9 starts for 6 minor placing which included a 4th placing in the Jewels against the best around, she earned almost $20k in her race starts and will be sure to carry on in the new season. Superstar starts on Friday evening at Alexandra Park.
Northview Hustler by Bettor’s Delight
A nice colt out of a Western Australian champion family, improving type but needed a little more time. Hustler had a few growing issues and need the extra time to fill out his frame.
He will start light work within the next 3 weeks; he has qualified to race during his last preparation where he showed good quality, a nice colt who will be one to watch in 2016. Unraced.
Northview Hustler a flashy colt.
Onedin Amethyst by Sportswriter
By an exciting American Sire, he is a big clean gaited pacer, possibly needs a little more time being a big horse. Sporty is currently in work and Ray is hopeful to get him to the workouts in 2 weeks’ time. If he copes he will then qualify to start racing within a month. Unraced.
Rocknroll Lincoln by RockNroll Hanover
A nice pacer who qualified as a 2 year old, he has been in the paddock but will be brought back into work next week. A colt that Ray looks forward moving to the next level, he may not be a champion but he has the ability to develop into a tidy racehorse. Unraced.
Sky Diamond by American Ideal
This colt from the same dame as Sky Major, had 2 starts in his first preparation as a 2 year old but hurt himself in a freak paddock accident and cracked his jaw. Sky has healed well but it was decided to give him a little longer in the paddock to fill out his large frame, he will be brought back into work in a months’ time.
Sky Diamond at the track as a Yearling.
Spring Campaign by Courage Under Fire
This speedy colt is a strong type from a quality family, who had 5 starts as a 2 year old for 2 placings. Another to be affected more than most by the virus earlier in his career and is just getting back to his former self. He is the fastest horse in the barn but is still just learning to concentrate more in his races. He has been better recently and he gets his chances on Friday evening to show he can put a performance together.
Vasari by Art Major
A colt with a lot of natural ability was competitive with the best of the 2 year olds last season and looks to have the depth to make a better 3 year old. Vasari ran 12 times as a 2 year old for 3 wins and 2 placings, he earned almost $50k for his efforts. He has had two months out in the paddock is just back in work jogging, he will have a slow build-up and be aimed at the Sires Stakes heats in September.
2 Year Olds.
This is the start of a new life for these young horses, some will cope well and get straight into their work, others take longer to adapt needing several preparations to make the races, this may take until they are 3 year old’s or older to occur.
This year is Special for Lincoln Farms, the first racing crop of Sir Lincoln’s progeny will make their way onto the training and racetracks.
New Zealand is in need of a quality homebred stallion with Christian Cullen now retired, there has not been a local entire to stand up; Lincoln Farms believe that Sir Lincoln may just be the type to deliver quality off spring, which only time will tell.
His current crop of 2 year olds are well structured, athletic and are starting to run times that are very impressive, while receiving accolades and attention from trainers in both Islands.
Alta Shangri La by American Ideal
A striking filly a half-sister to Alta Intrigue both being out of a strong USA family bloodline, she will likely go early as she has good size and maturity.
In work.
Annaliese Lincoln by Sir Lincoln
A nice big filly may make a 2 year old has a bit of attitude but powerful type with dame bloodlines back to a strong USA family.
Benriach by Sir Lincoln
A nice black colt may need a little time but is a very nice type of horse from an In the Pocket race winning mare.
Best Shot by Bettor’s Delight
A strong solid type of colt, from a great family on the dame side, by NZ’s most prolific sire. He will likely need a little time; he is not currently in work.
Bettorhavtime by Bettor’s Delight
A nice neat little colt from a Mach Three, 7 win mare, possible early 2 year old, nice horse.
Bettorhavtime’s Yearling photograph.
King of Swing by RockNroll Hanover
A nice forward colt nicely gaited with a great temperament from an exceptional family on the dame side, who won as a 2 and 3 year old. A horse to watch.
Lincoln’s Image by Sir Lincoln
Very nice type of colt out of a seedy winning mare, a big strong type who may need time, currently in the paddock back in work in 3 weeks.
Lisa Lincoln by Sir Lincoln
A half-sister to Ideal Quest, she is a nice filly with a nice easy gait, she may just need a little time but one to watch.
Lincoln Lovely by Sir Lincoln
The pick of our fillies, beautiful pacer, nice filly from a multiple winning mare. Ray feels she will make a nice 2 year old.
Lovely in the middle showing the way to our fillies.
Lincoln Road by Sir Lincoln
Nice colt may need a little time, from a good family on the dame side.
Lincoln Sky by Sir Lincoln
Colt that will need time still being broken in, big colt look for later in the season.
Lincoln Street by Sir Lincoln
Related to a Northern Derby winner, this colt is a big strong type who may need a little time.
Linc’s Grace by Sir Lincoln
Nice big filly, still growing so will need a little time, nice pacer.
Naya by Sir Lincoln
A nice pacing filly, who feels as she may run early, does everything right at this stage. Nice type from winning family.
Naya at the Yearling Parade.
Recco Love by Bettor’s Delight
A nice big colt and a good pacer, out of a very fast mare look to be an early one for the track.
Royal Gamble by Bettor’s Delight
The golden cross with Cristian Cullen multiple winning mares, this colt is a nice pacer but may need a little time to fill out, nice horse.
Vinabaka by Christian Cullen
A nice big colt from a very good family, he is still growing so will need time will have a month in the paddock then should improve further next time in.
Yasmine Bromac by Sir Lincoln
A very correct, nice big filly that has done everything right on the track, she is likely to go early. Yasmine is from a very nice well-bred family which shows in her gait and demeanour, the filly to watch.
Yasmine striding out at the Parade.
All in all, Lincoln Farms have a fine group of well-bred youngsters who will be some of the stars of the future. The comments above are Ray’s current plans for our horses, which can and do change from time to time for various reasons. Individual horses develop in different ways, some show immediate promise as early 2 year olds but reach a level where they just need a little more time, while some look slow beginners but keep on surprising the trainer, thriving on work and racing earlier than expected.
If you are interested in racing a horse with Lincoln Farms Bloodstock please contact the writer or anyone at Lincoln Farms, we will try to find you a share in a winner, to suit your budget.
We are currently taking applications for horses for the new season.
Just a reminder Lincoln Farms Partnerships were developed to introduce new people to harness and thoroughbred racing, Lincoln Farms retails at least 50% of every partnered horse.
Our guarantee, if your selected horse does not win a race Lincoln Farms will return your investment or offer you an interest in another equally valued horse.
Ian Middleton