Trojan Banner, pictured scoring at Redcliffe, will not start on Sunday with an offer pending from the States. PHOTO: Michael McInally.
Al taking no chances with Trojan Banner on Sunday after big money offer from the States
By Barry Lichter • 3 August 2019
Trojan Banner has been scratched from Sunday’s Marburg Derby with connections considering an offer for the colt from the United States.
Given the size of the bid, trainer Al Barnes was reluctant to risk the horse on the tight 700 metre Marburg circuit, no matter how remote the chance that he might hurt himself.
“You’d never forgive yourself if someone knocked you down, or he got on a knee or hung and cross-fired and came out of the race sore.
“A rep for the owners will drive him at Albion Park on Tuesday and he is scheduled to be vetted on Wednesday.”
In the meantime Lincoln Farms and its partners in Trojan Banner are mulling over the offer which is at a level that he is unlikely to be able to win in the future.
The horse, who turned four on Thursday, won $44,820 in the last 12 months - here and in Queensland - with Barnes able to milk the three-year-old handicapping system in Australia, winning seven races on end.
But it will get tougher for him from now and as Lincoln Farms’ business manager Ian Middleton points out in an email to fellow owners, his value would plummet should he lose form.
Trojan Banner has won $30,006 in 18 starts in New Zealand from three wins and two placings. His Australian record stands at seven wins from 10 starts for A$32,724.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 7: Im Not The Maid
8.15pm
“She couldn’t knick off a perfect trip last time in the amateur race so I won’t be holding my breath here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Leo Lincoln
5.53pm
“It looks like it will be a replica of his last two runs. He needs to drop down a class.”
Race 2: Kevin Kline
5.53pm
“I think he’lll go another good race but you couldn’t make a case for him to beat the two favourites (American Me or Mantra Blue). If he ran third, I’d be rapt. He’s very genuine and his form reflects that.”
Race 3: The Rascal
6.24pm
“We’ve chucked him in the deep end - he’s a maiden against race winners - but he’s improving all the time. Fergy had difficulty steering him last time and said if he could have got him out, he would have won. We’ve made little changes to his gear this time and I think he’s a serious contender.”
Race 7: Sugar Ray Lincoln
8.26pm
“He feels super in his work. I’m really pleased with him. I know he hasn’t lived up to his early promise but the way he’s training he might now be ready to realise it.”
Race 9: Dreams Of Eric
9.32pm
“He wasn’t handling the right-handed going so well, which was why he switched to racing at Cambridge, but he’s a genuine little guy, a strong colt with a bit of speed. I think he’s a chance, it’s just the draw, but it’s only a small field.”
