Mobile starts in Queensland have been stopped since this accident at Redcliffe a week ago when the barrier arms failed to retract and hit bystanders.
With no mobile, Al is keeping Trojan away from harm and is likely to wait until Friday
By Barry Lichter • 31 March 2019
Trainer Al Barnes is likely to scratch Trojan Banner from his race on Tuesday as the aftermath of last week’s serious accident at Redcliffe impacts on racing at Albion Park.
No mobile starts are being held in Brisbane while an inquiry is held into why the arms of the gate did not retract at Redcliffe, striking a family that was watching the race from a spectators’ area alongside the track.
Barnes is good friends with the Whittaker family, who live just down the road, and says his heart goes out to Gary and Joedy whose two-year-old daughter Lara is still in a coma.
“It was a very serious accident and we’re all hoping Lara pulls through.
“It was also tough on a lot of people who saw it, including my young fella Hayden, and there are a lot of health and safety problems now.’’
Trainer Al Barnes with son Brendan.Barnes says he believes Queensland Transport has ruled the mobile vehicles to be non complaint because the mobile structure is too heavy for the back of the ute.
“They’re trying to get it rectified by Tuesday but in the meantime they’re doing walk up starts.
“Trojan Banner isn’t used to that and I don’t want to put him in any danger - there have been a lot of false starts with horses shying and locking wheels.
“And they’re just not very professional - with the rolling starts you’re supposed to stay level with the clerk of the courses, on the inside and outside of the field, but all the kids are cheating the system and pinching half a length. The starts aren’t fair.’’
Barnes says he will wait until the last minute but it’s more likely he’ll pull Trojan Banner out and start him instead on Friday, when the gate issue is expected to be solved, and where he would also meet easier company.
When the race he planned to run Trojan Banner in on Tuesday was scrapped, Barnes put him in the c2 to c3 event, even though ther colt is still rated a c1.
While he says the opposition doesn’t really worry him, the fact the best chances are drawn one and two, means from five Trojan Banner will probably have to sit outside them.
“Left A Terror and Smart As Camm Be are two of the better three-year-olds in Queensland, and it would have been a good test for him, but we don’t have to meet them just yet and it only means waiting for three days.’’
Barnes reports Trojan Banner is in fantastic condition.
“He’s really bright and doing well and should continue on his (winning) way.’’
Barnes will also nominate Lincoln Farms’ other resident Lincoln’s Girl for Friday’s meeting.
“I was going to trial her but her work has been good enough for the grade she’s in.
“I’ll race her if the three-year-old maiden field holds up, because they’re pretty weak, but if she can only go in a c0-c1, I’ll trial her.’’
Trojan Banner is carded to run at 7.17pm NZ time on Tuesday but trainer Al Barnes says he’ll likely not to start.
More news in Harness
Spiritual Bliss and Lincoln Maree add to Lincoln Farms’ gallery of Manawatu heroes
Video clue on why Lincoln Lover is tipped to go boldly fresh-up at Auckland on Friday night
A picture of Bliss but poor Harry’s arms were nearly pulled out of their sockets
Ultra-consistent Kevin Kline sold to the United States: Why Ray’s sorry to lose him
Our runners this week: How our trainers rate them
Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Manawatu
Race 4: Spiritual Bliss
6.25pm
“She won well on the first day but pulled very hard - Harry said his arms were that tired afterwards he couldn’t have lifted a 1kg dumb bell. She’s meeting a few nice ones here, up in grade, but she’s drawn better so you can’t count her out. She tries hard and really digs in.”
Race 7: Lincoln Downs
7.50pm
“She did everything right on Tuesday but she blew heavily afterwards and I think the heat got to her. She’s a place chance if she recovers OK.”
Race 8: Lincoln Maree
8.22pm
“She was jumping shadows on Tuesday and moves to the last race this time but she’s not the most genuine so I’m not holding my breath.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 3: Lincoln Lover
6.28pm
“He hasn’t raced for three months but trialled really well. I pick he’s going to win one pretty quickly and, given he’s been running against the best two-year-olds in his previous preps, it should really be on Friday night. This lot of maidens aren’t in the same class and he’s as honest as they come, a tough little trier.”
Race 6: Debbie Lincoln
8.09pm
“She’s really up against it from the outside of the second line, with all the favourites drawn well. She has to be the unluckest animal on the planet. With her, what can go wrong will. Even at the best of times you need a reasonable draw to figure but drawn in the bondocks here she’ll need incredible luck.”
Race 8: Sugar Ray Lincoln
9.09pm
“He had a short break while some vet work was done but is in good trim. Yes, there are a few in here that are vastly higher rated but his formline says it all - it’s not often he doesn’t get a cheque.”
Race 8: Tyson
9.09pm
“He was a bit unlucky last week that he didn’t get to them a bit sooner otherwise I think he would have won. Maurice said he thought they’d come back to him more, going 2:39 speed, but his closing sectionals were easily the best in the race.”
Race 10: Prince Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s grown into a beautiful horse, a quality looking colt, and who knows what he could be. He’ll obviously improve with the run but I still expect him to run well from his good draw. He trialled very well behind a good one.”
Race 10: Johnny Lincoln
10.09pm
“He’s drawn a bit awkwardly in seven, which gives Prince Lincoln the edge, but he too was making good ground in the workout.”
