Racing: Standing start for Sir Lincoln a concern

Sir Lincoln is an each-way prospect. Photo / Simon Baker

The double disadvantages of a standing start and the 2700m of tonight's Thames Cup has trainer Ray Green warning punters to be careful with Sir Lincoln.

Last season's 3-year-old of the year looked back to his best with a brave win over tonight's key rival, Devil Dodger, three weeks ago.

But that was a 2200m mobile event as opposed to tonight's 2700m standing start, in which they face a 30m handicap.

"I am not so worried about the handicap because they are the two best horses in the race," said Green.

"But the standing start is more of a concern. He wasn't fast away in his first stand two starts ago and I think it will take him a while to get the hang of them.

"So that could give Devil Dodger an advantage over us." Green also doesn't believe Sir Lincoln is at his best past 2400m.

"I think most of the stock of Mach Three are at their best over shorter trips and my fella definitely is at this stage. In saying that, Devil Dodger is also by Mach Three."

Devil Dodger does have the superior staying record, having won over 2700m and being placed in last season's Derby over this trip, whereas Sir Lincoln has been placed only once in five attempts over 2700m.

The pair are both headed for open class so have a huge edge on their rivals tonight, so with Green's concerns, Devil Dodger deserves to start favourite.

The big recent improver in this grade is Stirling Point, who beat many of these in the Winter Cup last start.

That was after he made a flyer from the standing start to lead by 10 lengths early, an advantage he may struggle to achieve tonight as he starts off the 10m mark.

Still, being the only starter off 10m and off the unruly he will be standing wide on the track and could still press forward to lead early so with Fifteen Four looks the upset hope.

Tonight's meeting features a $100,000 terminating Pick6 which appears to have few anchors.

With a maiden trot as the second leg punters will need to go wide there so may need to cut back on other legs.

Livingontheinterest (R4, No7) won well enough last Friday to win again, with Lisharry (1) the danger.

Ian Small holds the key to the third leg with Matai Mies and Bagger Vance, while the fifth leg should be dominated by on-pace runners Victors Delight, Anvils Delight and Mhai Elsu.

The last leg is another tricky trot but Toggle was brave in a stronger field last week and would have finished second but for a late gallop so stands out alongside the beautifully bred Yankeedoosie.

Meanwhile, New Zealand pacers Courage To Rule and Tatijana Bromac have fared vastly differently in the draws for the feature races in Queensland tomorrow night.

Courage To Rule is best drawn of the favourites at three in the Four-Year-Old Championship at Albion Park but Mark Purdon's filly Tatijana Bromac will start from the outside of the front line in the Queensland Oaks.

PARK WINNERS

* Best bet: Devil Dodger (R7, No 8): Has a lot in his favour tonight and should win.

* Each-way: Lisharry (R4, No 1): Came very wide on home bend last Friday and ran on well. Has the ace tonight.

* This time? Dima (R1, RNo 5): Set solid pace and run down late last Friday. This field not as strong.

* Treble time: Neville Vaughan (R2, No 5): Bolted in last Friday and small field helps with 40m handicap. Gets Tony Herlihy, too.