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.
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Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Lincoln LInda
5.14pm
“The fillies she raced against in the Sires’ Stakes Semi were the best around so this is a massive drop in class for her. I imagine Fergie will work his way forward, as she’s best in front, and then she’d become the one to beat.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Prince Lincoln
5.16pm
“The draw helps as he likes being in front. The raw ability is there but from time to time he’s reluctant to show it. But that last start was a vast improvement.”
Race 1: Colonel Lincoln
5.16pm
“He was definitely in need of the run first-up and will benefit from another. He’s been off the scene for a long time.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.08pm
“He did well second-up, peeling off a 55.1 half. He’s been a slow maturer but I think he’s getting stronger as he gets older - he certainly feels much stronger in his work.”
Race 5: Lincoln Wave
7.08pm
“The Cambridge race has brought him on and I’m sure he’ll go well again, but he won’t be butchered a week out from the Derby. I don’t want to get carried away but he’s a pretty good horse, the best of our three in the race. He’s a year younger than Suger Ray but has a bit more ability. It’s hard to know where he’ll take us but he has the potential to be a classic colt.”
Race 5: Leo Lincoln
7.08pm
“He’s in the zone, he’s feeling really great, and he won’t go badly. But he’ll need luck from the draw.”
Race 9: Spiritual Bliss
9.04pm
“She’s racing better horses now and has done well to cop getting parked in some hard-run races. Leading is her go and she’ll get her chance from the inside draw.”
Race 10: Rivergirl Bella
9.36pm
“She has got a bit of speed but she can’t carry it very far. But if she gets the right trip, and gets out at the right time, not too soon, she’s always a chance.”
Race 10: Jessie Lincoln
9.36pm
“Harry blamed himself for the horse breaking at the start at Cambridge - he said he asked her to go a bit too quickly off the gate. She shouldn’t do it again. She’ll hold her own here, I’m sure.”
Race 10: Marylynes Boy
9.36pm
“He’s been training well but he’s only a little colt having his first start and from the second row I think Nathan will be happy to just see him get around safely.”
