Tiger, tiger, burning bright - Queensland bush fires a little too close for comfort
By Barry Lichter • 10 October 2019
Queensland’s bush fires got a little too close for comfort for Lincoln Farms’ trainer Al Barnes this week.
Thirty fires are burning across the state but when one jumped the main highway near Marburg, residents of the small town were at one stage warned to evacuate.
The blaze, about 3km from Barnes’ Marburg stables, caused a major traffic jam when the main route between Ipswich and Toowoomba was closed as firefighters battled to contain it.
“It was only a small fire but if it had got out of control across the road we would have had 30 minutes to get out - which isn’t long when you’ve got to move 20 horses,” says Barnes.
“I had an evacuation plan ready but thankfully the helicopter bombers were there very quickly.
“The conditions are very dangerous at the moment with very hot, dry days and 40km to 50km winds. We’re in severe drought and it only takes a lightning strike on the grass to start a fire.”
The fire near Marburg caused a major traffic jam when the main highway was closed.Barnes is hoping forecasted showers arrive soon but already the temperatures have dropped from several days of 40 degrees to only 24, he says.
Barnes wonders if the heat contributed to Sir Tiger’s disappointing showing in last week’s Pot Of Gold Final, when he stopped to sixth after sitting parked for the last lap.
“He’s still getting used to the heat and maybe that, combined with a hard run, was a bit too much for him.
“He might also not be strong enough to sit in the chair and run 1:54, but I thought he should have won it - they were nearly all fillies against him.”
Barnes decided to try something different with Sir Tiger this week in preparation for Friday afternoon’s fifth race at Albion Park.
“Maybe we over-trained him last week? I’ve backed off him a little and kept him fresh and we’ll drive him like a sit-sprinter this time to give him some confidence. It’s a reasonably even field but I’m sure he’ll be competitive if we do that and be right in the money.”
Barnes says he’s still learning about Sir Tiger who starts from gate five, an awkward spot on the front row.
But he suspects from what he’s seen so far that Sir Tiger needs gelding.
“He might not have tried his best last week. He’s not colty or nasty but I want to make him a racehorse and there’s no advantage in keeping him a colt.
“Some colts have a killer attitude but others turn into pigs and you’ve only got to compare them on race night to geldings to notice the difference.”
Barnes says he’s likely to race Sir Tiger a few times before making the decision but he doesn’t want to risk leaving it too late.
If Sir Tiger was gelded soon, then rested, he could be prepared in time for the Victoria Derby in January.
“I don’t know if he’s up to it yet but you’ve got to give it a go.”
Sir Tiger races at 4.12pm NZ time at Albion Park on Friday afternoon.
More news in Harness
This is it, Sammy, the draw’s a bit of a pain but you can eat these non-winners for breakfast
Prince Lincoln finally shows what he’s made of - and, wow, was that a blazing demolition!
Hey Wendy and Amy, go easy of Fergs as he’s doing a sterling job taming Lincoln Linda
Third time lucky for Wave’s little bro Omaha Lincoln who finally debuts at Auckland
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Rivergirl Bella
5.14pm
“She tries hard and is getting stronger. She just needs a trip to be right there.”
Race 3: Copy N Paste
6.16pm
“Maurice said he got a bit tired on debut but I didn’t expect a lot. Four months ago you’d have wondered if he’d ever qualify. He’ll improve on that - he’s improving all the time - but from seven he’ll have to go back and come into it late.”
Race 5: Lincoln Linda
7.14pm
Update: Scratched
“She’s up in grade but is a chance again if she can get a good run up the front of the field. It was a good effort last time to break 2:43.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.49pm
“She’s trained on OK and, while no champion, has to be a chance down in grade against the amateur horses.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 4: Jessie Lincoln
6.57pm
“I can’t see her beating Sammy Lincoln but with a good draw at last you’ll see a better performance. She’s capable of finishing in the first three.”
Race 4: Spirit Of God
6.57pm
“She bolted in at the workouts, leading out from a wide gate and getting home in 27.9. She’s a great driving little mare and has good manners. I could see her winning one very soon.”
Race 4: Sammy Lincoln
6.57pm
“I know we’ve said it before but he has been unlucky a few times and, all things being fair and square, it’s hard to see him beaten. The draw is awkward but everything points to him winning. There are no derby horses in there and he went a great race in the Northern Derby last start.”
Race 4: Marylynes Boy
6.57pm
“He’s a tidy little horse. I can’t see him winning from the (second row) draw but he’s like Spirit Of God, he’s not far away from winning one.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.25pm
“He’s been a late developer. You can see it in his growth, his withers have finally popped up, and he’ll get better as time goes on. He’s no champion but he should be a handy horse through winter. He’s capable of stepping away fairly well.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.25pm
“It’s a toss-up between the two of them. Sugar Ray is a bit stronger perhaps but Leo is very good from a stand. You can forget that last run in the Messenger - he was only in there to help get the race off the ground.”
Race 7: Prince Lincoln
8.25pm
“He finally showed us what he’s got last week. Inside second row draws can be awkward - you’re at the mercy of the others - but he could end up with a good trail behind the leader.”
