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 4: Tyson
6.58pm
“Drawn out wide makes it tough over 1700 metres but he’s been making his own luck. He’s not brilliant out but if he pushes on to be handy he’s got to be a big chance again. He needs to be up there on the pace or he doesn’t try too hard.”
Race 6: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.57pm
“You can’t fault what Sugar Ray’s been doing lately, and he’s been getting out with them, so he has to be a serious chance from the inside.”
Race 6: Kevin Kline
7.57pm
“Kev and Sugar Ray are pretty much on a par. Kev never goes a bad race, he’s just such a professional.”
Race 7: Johnny Lincoln
8.23pm
“He’s been racing too keenly but he won’t pull this time. We’ve got a different bit on him so Maurice will have him under control.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.23pm
“He’ll need to get stronger and you couldn’t see him beating Fugitive from the outside of the arm.”
Race 8: Rivergirl Bella
8.48pm
“It will be interesting to see what she can do from a good draw - she’s got some speed and if she holds up early she’ll get a good trip. But she, too, needs to get stronger.”
