Larry Lincoln (red hood) pierces through the centre for Hayden Barnes and gets up in the last stride to nail Our Madiba at Albion Park last Saturday night. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Larry can go all the way on Saturday night and cap stellar month for Al’s Lincoln Farms team
By Barry Lichter • 26 February 2021
Larry Lincoln can lead all the way on Saturday night and ring up just on A$33,000 for the month in earnings for Lincoln Farms, says trainer Al Barnes.
With wins by all three horses he has racing for Lincoln Farms, Larry Lincoln, Northview Hustler and Bondi Shake, Barnes and his son Hayden have had a stellar month.
And with Larry Lincoln an almost certain leader from the pole, Barnes is bullish that the roll can continue in the fifth race at Albion Park.
“Larry deserves to be favourite and he’s got enough respect to lead and win.
“There are some capable horses in the race - Courageous Saint won well on Tuesday - but over a mile Larry will be very hard to beat from in front.”
Larry Lincoln showed a rare brand of speed for a horse of his grade last Saturday night when he came from three back on the outer to nail the favourite Our Madiba on the post.
Pulled three wide 600 metres from home, his sizzling closing 800 and 400 sectionals of 54.25 and 26.51 saw the 1660 metres cut out in a mile rate of 1:54.6.
Barnes says he’s very confident Bondi Shake can back up on his Tuesday win and run a place in the final race.
Bondi Shake faces a tougher field of three-year-olds but Barnes says he’s very bright and is sure to run a “cheeky race.”
“Dance In The Sun looks the winner but he can run second because he chases really well.
“He doesn’t like going from slow to pinging but he’ll sit on a fast speed and chase.”
Bondi Shake showed that determination when he came out of the trail on Tuesday and hunted down the favourite Coppice to score by a nose.
“This is stronger but he’s up to them.”
Larry Lincoln races at Albion Park at 10.47pm NZ time on Saturday night.
Bondi Shakes races at Albion Park at 1.20am NZ time early Sunday morning.
More news in Harness
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Copy N Paste a ‘tradesman’ but look for bold debut run at Cambridge on Thursday night
Ray reveals his theory on why rank outsider Sammy Lincoln can play a hand in the derby
$101 winner Lincoln Wave has improved and is worth following in Friday’s derby lead-up
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 4: Lincoln Linda
6.38pm
“I’m not sure where she’s at. It’s a big drop in class - there’s not much in there - but I don’t think she’ll morph into a star. She was hitting the sulky wheels last time and over-racing but that won’t happen again.”
Race 6: Lincoln Maree
7.36pm
“She paced roughly last time but we’ve done a bit of work on her since so she should be happier this time. It depends on the trip she gets (from four) but she’ll go an honest race. She’s no superstar, but she doesn’t miss many cheques.”
Race 8: Copy N Paste
8.45pm
“He’s dour and tradesman-like but he’s getting there. It’s his first time off the place, and the trip will improve him, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him competitive in what is a very weak field. Sometimes you don’t know what the Bettors Delights have got until they front up at the races but he trialled well and beat a couple who are against him here.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
4.53pm
“He actually tried last time. He’s a nice horse but can change his mind quickly. Full blinds woke him up last time so we’ll see if he responds to them again this time.”
Race 3: Omaha Lincoln
5.46pm
“I think he’ll go a good race but it’s his first time at Alexandra Park so I don’t want to talk him up too much. He’s got enough ability to win a race like this, whether he’s ready to do it, we’ll find out. He can get a bit keen at times but I think he’s a chance if he does everything right.”
Race 5: Spiritual Bliss
6.54pm
“It was another great run last time after leading and she’s a good, tough mare who will go another good race. What trip she gets will determine where she finishes. From five, I’m picking she might go back this time but I’ll leave that up to the driver (Harrison Orange).”
Race 6: Sharpe Stride
7.24pm
“He’s a nice trotter, a big strong colt. He can get a bit hot but there’s nothing wrong with how he goes. He’s certainly not good enough to deal with these but he’s there for a run around.”
Race 9: Leo Lincoln
8.57pm
“He’s racing in career-best form and they were struggling for runners so I put him in. He gets a starting fee of $1750 so we won’t go home empty-handed. I’m really happy with him, he’s handling right-handed racing better these days. But he’s racing the bear cats so I’m not suggesting for a second he’ll give them a fright.”
Race 10: Colonel Lincoln
9.25pm
“I thought he went super last time. It was a vast improvement on the previous two starts and you’ve got to remember he was out for a long time. He’s coming to it now and improving all the time. I couldn’t label him but I’d be surprised if he’s not in the first three or four. He’s trained on well and gets a front row draw.”
Race 10: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.25pm
“He was given too much to do last time - up to park at the bell - and you can’t drive the ears off them every time. With a more conservative trip he’d be right in it.”
