Taming the Tiger - Al using kid gloves to make problem pacer brave
By Barry Lichter • 2 January 2020
Queensland trainer Al Barnes is looking for an improved run from Sir Tiger at Albion Park tomorrow, back in distance, down in class and against his own age group.
But while he says Sir Tiger is going well enough to figure in the finish, he says he’ll still need luck on his side from a bad draw.
That’s because Barnes is determined to keep working on Sir Tiger’s confidence by driving him quietly and have him finish strongly, rather than being driven hard and dropping out.
“Even though he showed a bit more gate speed last time, we’ll still be going back from six. For now, that’s the best way to drive him as I want him feeling happy and confident.
“If things go his way and he can loom up behind them like he did two starts back he’ll be right in it.”
Sir Tiger battles into fourth last start.While Sir Tiger was dead stiff when eighth on December 20, unable to find a gap in the run home, he looked weak in his next start when only fourth after securing a perfect trail behind the leader.
Barnes partly blames himself for that failure, backing the horse up only four days later over 2138 metres.
“He doesn’t back up brilliantly but he’s fresh this time and he should run out the 1660 metres better.
“But it’s an even bunch and he’ll have to be at least 90% to give them a shake. They’ll probably go slow which will make it hard for him.”
Barnes continues to be pleased with Super Easy who showed fantastic manners in an educational trial last week and he plans to give the horse another spin round Albion Park on Tuesday with Joey Lincoln.
Newest recruit Double Or Nothing will have an official trial on Friday, Barnes keen to find out if he’ll go well fresh to give him a guide on his upcoming programme.
Stable star Northview Hustler is making good headway in his new campaign, bothered only by a minor back niggle.
Sir Tiger races at 2.54pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday.
More news in Harness
Cheapie Johnny Lincoln a “proper” racehorse who can foot it with the Million bluebloods
Bang! Lincoln Wave’s tyre blows out, startling rival drivers but Alabar win would shock more
Cheapies The Night Fox and Lincoln Maree keep the tally ticking over at Cambridge
Little Missy Lincoln can stand up for herself in Young Guns fillies’ heat on Friday night
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
5.44pm
“From a good front line draw Harry can run off the gate and find the front. He’s shown he’s got the speed to get there. And if he can go 2:42 again, or quicker, I thought he’d be a very good winning chance. It’s an easier field than the one he beat last time. He’s trained well this week.”
Race 2: Rivergirl Bella
6.09pm
“She goes down to Cambridge for the first time so it’s a big drop in class. She also goes a lot better left-handed so I thought from the good draw she could run top three.”
Race 3: Lincoln Maree
6.34pm
“She paced a 1:56.7 mile in beating the amateurs last start but it looks like she’ll need a bit of luck from the draw this time. The two inside her like to lead so she could end up three fence or outside them. I’ll leave it up to Harry to get the right trip.”
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.34pm
“He’s a place chance. He likes bowling along but from five it’s hard to say where he’ll end up. He’s very consistent and he paced 2:42.3 last time so I can absolutely see him in the money.”
Race 6: Lincoln Linda
8.04pm
“She was in a very strong R40 to R48 race last time at Auckland against horses like Alecto, All Of Me and Cyclone Rebel, and she clocked 2:41.1, so back to Cambridge where she won her first race, and a much easier R38 to R40 field, she’s got to be a good winning chance. She’s best in front if Fergie can get there.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
4.42pm
“I’m not holding my breath with him. We won’t count that last run, when the leader went ballistic and he couldn’t get into the race, but he’s not well placed here.”
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.09pm
“She’s racing really well and this looks a bit easier than last time when she was trapped in the breeze in a strong field. I can’t see how she won’t be right in the fight.”
Race 7: Missy Lincoln
7.34pm
“I didn’t know what to expect on debut but she was very brave. I’m picking she’ll go well again but she’ll need a bit of luck - drawn the second line we’re at the mercy of others. We’ll poke her out and see. At least she won’t get parked this time.”
Race 10: Lincoln Wave
9.07pm
“We’re racing the best horses now but he’ll definitely go better than last time. Tony (Herlihy) said he felt super across the top but once in the straight he flattened out, which I half expected. I had him scoped afterwards just to make sure he was all right but he was short of a run, that’s all.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
9.07pm
“He went super when third last week and Fergie said just wait ’til he gets over 2700 metres, he’ll be a monster. He’s turned into a proper racehorse. From four there’ll be a bit of urgency early and hopefully he can get a suck along and get some of it.”
