Delany confident stable can strike twice

Nathan Delany can’t decide which one of the three-year-old pacers he takes to Alexandra Park is the best chance.

But the goods news for the Pukekohe trainer and partner Ray Green is he thinks they can both win.

Their stable have an army of talented young pacers in work including Sammy Lincoln (R2, No.3) and Lincoln Wave (R6, No.6) in early races at the shortened Auckland meeting tonight.

The pair clashed at last Friday’s soaked Alex Park meeting and Lincoln Wave led throughout while Sammy Lincoln stormed home for third after getting held up.

“We really like them both,” says Delany.

“Sammy was unlucky as everybody saw last week and should be even better for that,” says Delany.

“He obviously stays in maidens and I think he will be better than the horses he meets on Friday so he should win.”

Lincoln Wave goes up in grade but hardly meets daunting opponents in Race 3 and Delany believes he can win again.

“Maurice [McKendry, driver] said he was jogging last Friday and the way he has worked this week we think he has improved with that run.

“So we think they are both really good chances, with not much between them ability wise.”

The stable has a far more experienced three-year-old in Johnny Lincoln in Race 4, the $35,000 Metro Final and with three career wins he is in a significantly tougher grade, up against the likes of Double Parked and Princess Of Savoy.

Johnny Lincoln was tough winning last Friday after sitting parked but was in the weaker of the two Metro heats, yet you can’t doubt his bravery after a very busy two-year-old season.

“He is a horse who had injuries even before he started racing and has done a great job and hasn’t finished winning yet,” says Delany.

“I’d say Andre [Poutama] will head for the front with him and be hard to catch.”

The stable also has Tyson and Spiritual Bliss in the tightest-assessed pace of the night Race 6 and it is a 2200m contest that could be decided by tactics and tempo.

“Spiritual Bliss likes to lead but I don’t think she will get there because Words has drawn inside us.

“So she might have to do it the tough way and if they go hard that could suit Tyson.”

The $35,000 Metro Trot Final has Hillbillly as the favourite and he can clearly win but his draw of barrier 1 on the 10m mark could be tricky for a horse who was sluggish away last Friday, albeit commanding winning after.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand