Vasari pacing fluently in front for driver Hayden Barnes. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Al confident with Vasari who will enjoy big drop in class at Redcliffe on Wednesday night
By Barry Lichter • 23 July 2019
Vasari can turn his form line on its head in the opening race at Redcliffe on Wednesday night, tips trainer Al Barnes.
The form digits alongside Vasari’s name - 84940 - might appear bleak but he hasn’t been racing badly and will enjoy a huge drop in grade on Wednesday night in the 1780 metre sprint.
“This is a nice race for him and he’ll be short (in the betting),” says Barnes. “He’s been racing against pretty tough opposition at Albion Park and running on well. And his times have been good.
“And even though he ran last in his latest run when a hot favourite, he was unlucky.”
Driven quietly, four back on the outer by Hayden Barnes, Vasari was denied gaps when hooked wide in the run home but ran on nicely when switched back to the inner.
A week before that, he finished a strong fourth to stablemate Trojan Banner.
“From two on the second row I can see him following them through. We’ll let him slide forward and sit outside them or go to the front and he should beat them.
“I’m pretty confident he’ll handle them comfortably.”
Barnes says Vasari will have no trouble with the tight Redcliffe circuit. In two starts there he has run fourth and a big second, when he sat outside the leader.
Vasari races at 7.15pm NZ time at Redcliffe on Wednesday night.
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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.”
